Former UN Chief Javier Perez de Cuellar Dies

Former UN Chief Javier Perez de Cuellar, who led the world body during the Iran-Iraq war and the civil war in El Salvador, died yesterday in his native Peru, said his son.

"My dad died after a tough week. He died at 8:09 p.m. tonight (0109 GMT today) and is resting in peace," Francisco Perez de Cuellar said.

The Peruvian diplomat served as United Nations Secretary-General from 1981 to 1991.

Antonio Guterres, who currently heads the UN, wished him "with pride & joy" 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.

Perez de Cuellar’s remains will lie at the Peruvian foreign ministry before burial tomorrow, his son said.