Bangladesh President, Zillur Rahman, died on Wednesday at a hospital in Singapore. He was 84.
Mr. Rahman was a top leader of the ruling Awami League party before Parliament elected him President in 2009.
The government declared three days of mourning starting Thursday.
Mr. Rahman’s death does not affect the government since Bangladesh is a parliamentary democracy, with the prime minister holding executive powers.
The President’s office said parliamentary speaker Abdul Hamid will be acting President until the legislature elects a new President.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered her condolences and described Mr. Rahman as a patriotic leader.
