As a three-term as president, he guided the country toward democracy, but he was called an authoritarian at heart and accused of brutality during the revolt that put him in power.

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)