June 24 - Tunisia's Mohamed Mzali (pictured), a longtime member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has died in a Paris hospital after a long illness, it was announced today.


Mzali, a former Prime Minister of Tunisia, was 85 years old.

The IOC and Tunisia's President praised Mzali's contribution to sports and culture over the decades.

Mzali was a Minister in Tunisia's Cabinet for several years before serving as Prime minister from 1980 to 1986.

He was elected a member of the IOC in 1965 and held several top positions, including being vice-president between 1976 and 1980.

Mzali was also President of the International Olympic Academy from 1977 to 1988 and a member of several Commission, including two spells on Press and Public Relations between 1967-1972 and 1974 and 1980, Information and Cultural 1973-1974, Tripartite 1977-1980 and Culture and Olympic Education since 2002.

He also played an important role in Tunisian sport during his career, including being President of the Tunisian Olympic Committee from 1962 to 1986, President of the Tunisian Football Federation in 1962 and 1963, President of the International Committee for the Mediterranean Games from 1979 to 1987 and President of the Organising Committee for the Mediterranean Games in Tunis in 1967.

His family said his body was being flown back to Tunisia later today for burial.