Choummaly Sayasone

President of Laos

Choummaly Sayasone Lieutenant General  (born March 6, 1936 in Attapu) is president of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and general secretary (leader) of the communist Lao People's Revolutionary Party since March 21, 2006. He was elected general secretary on that date by the party's 8th Congress. He previously served as defense minister.

Formerly vice president of the country, he was officially appointed president on June 8, 2006, replacing Khamtai Siphandon, whom he also replaced as party leader. He joined the party's Politburo in 2001.