Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the former secretary general of the UN, has died aged 93.
He died at a Cairo hospital on Tuesday, Egypt’s state news agency said, after reportedly being admitted with a broken pelvis. His death was confirmed by Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno, the Venezuelan ambassador to the UN and current president of the UN Security Council.
As an Egyptian, Boutros-Ghali was the first Arab to serve as UN chief. He took office in 1992 at a time of increasing influence for the world body following its decisive role in the Gulf War, serving one five-year term.
The 15-member Security Council observed a minute’s silence after the announcement, which was made at the start of a session on Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.