June 5 (Reuters): Tariq Aziz, who was foreign minister of Iraq under Saddam Hussein, has died in prison, Iraqi officials said today. He was 79.

Aziz surrendered in April 2003 to the US invasion force that overthrew Saddam. He was sentenced to death seven years later for the persecution of Islamic parties under Saddam.

Dr Saadi al-Majid, head of the health department of Dhi Qar governorate, where Aziz was being held, confirmed Aziz's death. "Tariq Aziz arrived at al-Nasiriya Educational hospital suffering from a severe heart attack. He had heart complications that led to his death at 1200 GMT."