Catholic priest and former President of the UN General Assembly Miguel D'Escoto has died following a long illness, the government reported. He was 84. D'Escoto was also a former Foreign Minister. He headed the UN General Assembly from 2008-2009.

He died in a hospital here, first lady and Vice President Rosario Murillo said, reading a communique, Efe news reported. The government headed by Sandinista Daniel Ortega expressed its "profound dismay and sadness" over the death of D'Escoto, the first priest to occupy the UN presidency.