Former German FM Genscher dies at 89

Former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher died at the age of 89, his office told German media on Friday.

Genscher, the long-time German foreign minister and leader of Germany's Free Democratic Party (FDP), died of cardiovascular failure, reported Spiegel Online, citing Genscher's office in Bonn.

His workplace has recently told media that Genscher was mainly bedridden because of health factors.

Genscher was born on March 21, 1927.

After years of political experience as FDP member, Genscher was appointed as Interior Minister by Chancellor Willy Brandt, whose Social Democratic Party (SPD) was in coalition with the FDP, in 1969 and held the role till 1974.

He then served as foreign minister and simultaneously held the vice chancellorship from 1974 to 1992.

Genscher withdrew from an active career in politics in 1992 for health reasons. Having finished his political career, he remained active as a lawyer and in international organizations.

Source: XINHUA