Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Alija Izetbegovic, who led Bosnia's Muslims during the 1992-95 war for independence then became one of the multi-ethnic republic's first postwar presidents, died Sunday, a hospital official said. He was 78.
Mr. Izetbegovic died of complications that developed after he was hospitalized for injuries sustained from a fall in his home, said Dr. Ismet Gavrankapetanovic, the head of Sarajevo's Kosevo clinic.
"The former president of Bosnian-Herzegovina died in the Kosevo hospital today," Dr. Gavrankapetanovic was quoted as saying by state radio.
Mr. Izetbegovic's condition had become critical on Friday when doctors could not stop bleeding in his left lung, the hospital reported.
The former president had been admitted to Sarajevo's main hospital weeks ago after breaking four ribs and injuring his shoulder during a fall at his home.
