Following the dictator’s downfall Iliescu revealed himself to be a wily and cool-headed operator in a menacing, Byzantine landscape

Iliescu presided over the Eastern European country's chaotic transition from communism to democracy. He was hospitalized for lung cancer in early June.

E' morto a 95 anni Ion Iliescu, ex leader comunista poi primo presidente della Romania dopo la rivoluzione del 1989 che pose fine al regime di Nicolae Ceausescu. (ANSA)