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M. Continuo

Cyprus defence minister dies after brain haemorrhage


    NICOSIA (Reuters) - Cyprus's Defence Minister Tassos Mitsopoulos died on Saturday, doctors said, 24 hours after a massive brain haemorrhage. He was 48.

    Mitsopoulos, who assumed the Mediterranean island's defence portfolio a week ago, had suffered a brain aneurysm. His secretary found him unconscious in his office just before a scheduled appointment with the U.S. ambassador to Cyprus on Friday.

    As a former spokesperson for the ruling Democratic Rally party, Mitsopoulos was considered to be one of the closest associates of Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, who won elections a year ago.

    Before his defence ministry appointment on March 14, Mitsopoulos held the communications portfolio in government.

    (Writing by Michele Kambas; editing by Andrew Roche)