Paris - French President Nicolas Sarkozy praised recently deceased Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, saying his death was "a great loss for the people of Zambia."

The 59-year-old Mwanawasa, who died in Paris following a stroke earlier this year, was a man with political courage, Sarkozy said.

His death is "a great loss for Africa and for democracy, which Mwanawasa defended his entire life," Sarkozy said. (dpa)