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Former UN chief Perez de Cuellar dies

March 5, 2020

The Peruvian diplomat led the United Nations for 10 years, overseeing the Iraq-Iran war and the collapse of the Soviet Union. He died at the age of 100 in his home country, where he also served as prime minister.

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avier Perez de Cuellar
Image: Imago/Teutopress

Former United Nations Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar, who led the organization from 1981-1991, died in his native Peru on Wednesday night.

"My dad died after a complicated week. He died at 8:09 pm tonight (01:09 GMT Thursday) and is resting in peace," Francisco Perez de Cuellarf told RPP radio.

Antonio Guterres, current head of the UN, wished him a happy 100th birthday on January 19.

"On this momentous occasion, we at the UN draw on his example for inspiration & are deeply grateful for his many contributions and achievements as Secretary-General," Guterres wrote on Twitter.

Cuellar led the UN through the Iran-Iraq war, the end of the Cold War and civil war in El Salvador. Serving two terms, he was widely well-regarded and was encouraged to run for a third term in office in 1991, which he declined to do.

The career diplomat also served as prime minister of Peru briefly from 2000-2001. 

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ed/aw (AP, dpa)