The president of Togo, Africa's longest-ruling leader, died after suffering a heart attack Satuday and the military named his son as the new head of state.
President Gnassingbe Eyadema, 69, had a heart attack Saturday in his hometown of Piya in southeastern Togo and died on his way to Europe for treatment, officials said.
Hours later, Togo's military high command said Eyadema's 39-year-old son, Faure Gnassingbe, was the West African nation's new president. The constitution calls for that power to go to the speaker of parliament, but the military said he was out of the country and it was necessary "to avoid a "total vacuum of power."
State television showed images of military leaders, including army chief of defense staff Gen. Zakari Nandja, swearing an oath of allegiance to Gnassingbe, who was the minister of mines and communication.
Prime Minister Koffi Sama called upon security forces to keep law and order. He also announced all land borders and air space in the nation of 5.5 million people had been closed, along with the international airport in the capital, Lome.
Eyadema, a Protestant Christian, is survived by three wives and many sons who hold senior government jobs or are prominent businessmen.
