Thekabarnews.com—According to official reports, the former president of Timor-Leste, Francisco Guterres, died on Sunday, June 21, at the age of 71. He died while undergoing medical treatment at Prince Court Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The death of Guterres was announced on his official Facebook page by his family, according to Timor-Leste’s state news agency Tatoli.

In the statement, the family requested that the public respect their privacy during the period of mourning. They also asked everyone to remember the late leader’s dedication to the people of Timor-Leste throughout his life.

“We ask all to respect our family’s privacy during this difficult time, join us in prayer, and honor his memory, legacy, and service to the people of Timor-Leste,” the statement said.

Francisco Guterres (born 7 September 1954) served as President of Timor-Leste from 2017 to 2022. During his presidency, he presided over the nation’s democratic institutions and still preached national unity and development.

Guterres had been a prominent political figure in Timor-Leste for decades prior to taking office as president. Moreover, he was widely recognized as one of the leading figures in the country’s independence struggle. He also contributed to the country’s democratic transition after independence.

Leaders across the region offered their condolences, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He expressed his sympathies to the family of Guterres and the people of Timor-Leste.

“On behalf of Malaysia, I wish to convey my deepest condolences to his family and the people of Timor-Leste,” Anwar said in a message posted on his official Instagram account, @anwaribrahim_my, on Monday, June 22.

Anwar also paid tribute to Guterres’s historic contribution to his country. He said that Guterres was a member of the generation that fought for the independence of Timor-Leste.

He said Guterres spent many years of his life in the resistance movement. Afterwards, he helped build the young nation’s democratic institutions after independence.

Even after leaving office, Guterres remained a major figure in Timor-Leste. Many citizens still regard him as one of the country’s elder statesmen.

He died as one of the principal political figures who shaped the modern history of Timor-Leste in the independence movement and the democratic era of the country.

As tributes continue to flow from political leaders and members of the international community, many in Timor-Leste will remember Francisco Guterres not only for his presidency. They will also remember him for his long-standing commitment to national sovereignty, public service, and democratic governance.

Funeral arrangements and further details of national commemorations were unavailable at the time of publication.

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