<<Print>>

Former French President Jacques Chirac has died at the age of 86.  Chirac died this morning 'surrounded by his family', his son-in-law Frederic Salat-Baroux said today. 

His death was also announced in the National Assembly in Paris where a minute's silence was held.  In a long career, Chirac was twice Prime Minister of France before serving as head of state from 1995 to 2007. During his term in office, his opposition to the Iraq War put him at loggerheads with George W. Bush and Tony Blair.  

After leaving office he was found guilty of corruption dating back to his time as mayor of Paris and given a two-year suspended prison sentence.