President of Republic of Congo

Born in 1943, Denis Sassou-Nguesso first seized power in a coup in 1979, only to lose it in the country's first multi-party elections in 1992 which were won by Pascal Lissouba.

He returned to power in 1997 after a brief but bloody civil war in which he received the backing of Angolan troops.

A French-trained paratroop colonel, Mr Sassou-Nguesso is seen as a pragmatist. During his first presidency in 1979-92 he loosened the country's links with the Soviet bloc and gave French, US and other Western oil companies roles in oil exploration and production.

He abandoned the one-party system in 1992, making the ruling Congolese Workers Party (PCT) fight for its political life after more than 20 years as the sole party.

In March 2002 Mr Sassou-Nguesso began a seven-year term after winning in presidential elections in which two of his main rivals - former President Pascal Lissouba and former Prime Minister Bernard Kolelas - were excluded from taking part by a residency law and a third contender - Andre Milongo - pulled out alleging irregularities, and with a reformed constitution which tightens his grip on power .