Afghan Vice President Fahim dies of natural causes

In this photograph taken on September 22, 2011, Afghan Vice President Mohammad Qasim Fahim listens to unseen Afghan President Hamid Karzai as he speaks during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. Afghan Vice President Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim, formerly one of the country's much-feared warlords, has died of natural causes, officials said, adding that three days of national mourning would be held. AFP

KABUL, March 09, 2014 (AFP) - Afghan Vice President Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim, formerly one of the country's much-feared warlords, has died of natural causes, officials said Sunday, adding that three days of national mourning would be held.

Fahim, a leader of the Tajik ethnic minority, served as senior vice president to President Hamid Karzai, who is due to step down at elections next month as NATO combat forces pull out of Afghanistan after 13 years of fighting the Taliban.

Aged 56, Fahim was accused of being a ruthless strongman who maintained his own militia forces, but he also received American support as Afghanistan sought stability after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.

"With deep sadness, the 1st vice president, Marshal M.Q. Fahim has passed away. May his soul rest in peace," presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi said on his Twitter account.

"The government of Afghanistan has called for a three-day national mourning, during which the national flag will be half-hoisted for his demise."