( BBC ) - Burmese Prime Minister Soe Win has died in a military hospital after a long illness, state media said.
Relatives said Gen Soe Win, 59 had been suffering from acute leukaemia. Since May his duties have been performed by an acting prime minister, Thein Sein.
Soe Win's death comes after Burma's military launched a deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters led by the country's revered Buddhist monks.
Analysts say his death is unlikely to have much impact on the aftermath.
Most key decisions in Burma need the approval of the junta's top leaders Than Shwe and Maung Aye.
Soe Win died in Burma's largest city, Rangoon, on Friday, state radio said.
Reports say he had returned to the country earlier this month, following months of treatment in Singapore.
There have been rumours about Soe Win's death since early last week.
Soe Win succeeded Khin Nyunt as prime minister in 2004.