Congo Confirms President Is Dead

K I N S H A S A, Congo, Jan. 18 -- Congo's government has confirmed that President Laurent Kabila is dead, ending two days of secrecy and rumors that began when the leader of the deeply troubled CentralAfrican nation was reportedly gunned down at his palace.

Communications Minister Dominique Sakombi made the announcementin a statement broadcast on state-run television tonight.

"Congo is in mourning," said Sakombi, who sat in a leather chair in front of a smiling photograph of Kabila. "He gave entirely the best years of his life for the freedom of theCongolese people."

Sakombi said Kabila, 59, died at 10 a.m. today, despite reports from numerous foreign officials that he died soon after being wounded in 30 minutes of intense gunfire at his residence Tuesday. The government insisted throughout thatKabila was wounded but alive.

Power Transfers to Kabila's Son

On Wednesday, Cabinet officials thrust Kabila's son, Joseph, into power, naming him temporary head of government to fill the power vacuum that has threatened to throw the vast, war-torn nation into even more turmoil. The younger Kabila, who alreadyheaded the armed forces, has made no public statements.

Initial reports indicated that Joseph Kabila might have been wounded in the shooting. But Western diplomats said on condition of anonymity that they had met with him Wednesday in Kinshasa and that he showed no signs of injury.

Tuesday's shooting and the questions about the elder Kabila's fate added to the disorder in Congo, a mineral-rich nation where a 2½-year civil war has turned into a regional conflict involving troops from a host of African nations.

The U.N. Security Council has urged all sides in Congo's war to respect a shaky 1999 cease-fire and refrain from military action. Before the official confirmation of Kabila's death, heads of state gathering today at a Franco-African summit in nearby Cameroon began their conference with a moment of silence for Kabila.

Details of the Attack

Congolese officials offered no details of Tuesday's attack at the palace, and the circumstances were still murky.