Beirut:
Former Lebanese Prime Minister Omar Karami died on Thursday at the age of 80 after suffering from an undisclosed illness, the government said.
Omar Karami died Thursday morning at Beirut's American University Medical Center, where he was undergoing treatment, the state-run National News Agency said.
The office of Prime Minister Tammam Salam said a three-day mourning period will begin on Friday and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast. The government statement said an official funeral will be held for Karami on Friday in the northern city of Tripoli, the hometown of the late politician.
Karami served as Prime Minister for the first time between 1990 and 1992 and during his term the Lebanese pound crashed. He was forced to resign after protests that became known as the "Revolution of the Hungry."
He assumed the post again in 2004, but was forced to resign in 2005 following the assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri.
Karami's elder brother Rashid was a long-serving Prime Minister until his assassination in 1987.
Omar Karami is survived by his wife Mariam and four sons and daughters.