Conakry, Guinea  - Guinea's President Lansana Conte has died after a long illness, news reports said Tuesday.

National Assembly President Aboubacar Sompare announced Conte's death on state television early Tuesday, the BBC reported.

The leader was known to suffer from diabetes and was a heavy smoker. His exact birthdate is not known, but he was believed to have been 74.

Rumours that his health had deteriorated had been circulating since last week, but officials denied these reports.

Sompare asked Guinea's Supreme Court to officially declare the presidency vacant, meaning a presidential election must be organized within 60 days.

Sompare is now expected to be named interim president, in line with the constitution.

Conte took control of Guinea in a bloodless coup in 1984 and kept a tight grip on the nation until his death.

He won three presidential elections since restoring civilian rule in 1993, after a referendum changed the constitution to remove a two- term limit. (dpa)