Peru's ex-President Paniagua dies

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Peru's ex-President, Valentin Paniagua, has died aged 70 after spending several days in a coma. He had undergone heart surgery in August.

Mr Paniagua was interim president for eight months after Alberto Fujimori resigned amid corruption allegations in 2000, following 10 years in power.

A former lawyer, Mr Paniagua also ran as a candidate in this year's presidential race, finishing fifth.

He was well regarded for his leadership during a complex period, analysts say.

Mr Paniagua had been a critic of Mr Fujimori's rule, and many Peruvians credit him with leading their country back to democracy when it ended.

He used his eight months in office to organise new elections, which were won by Alejandro Toledo in July 2001.