Yeltsin, Russia's liberator, dies

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The eccentric, often drunk, always charismatic 76-year-old had a history of heart problems and is believed to have died of a heart attack.

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Yeltsin (left) stands atop a tank during the attempted coup by Communist hardliners in August, 1991. He made a speech to the crowd about defending democracy against dictatorship in front of the Russian parliament building

Mr Yeltsin became Russia's first democraticallyelected head of state in December 1991, five months after he mounted a tank outside the Kremlin rallying the crowd against a bid to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev's era of glasnost and perestroika.

He presided over a mass privatisation of state assets in the early 1990s and sanctioned military intervention in Chechnya in 1994 that cost thousands of lives.

Mr Yeltsin pushed through free-market reforms, creating a private sector and allowing foreign investment.

He assured independence for Soviet bloc satellite states, oversaw troop and arms reductions and developed warm relations with Western leaders.

He handed power to ex-KGB chief Vladimir Putin on the last day of the 20th century - the first Russian leader to step down voluntarily. The country will mark his death with a day of mourning tomorrow.

Among the tributes last night, Lady Thatcher said: "Without Boris Yeltsin, Russia would have remained in the grip of Communism and the Baltic states would not be free. He deserves to be honoured as a patriot and liberator."

Tony Blair added: "He was a remarkable man who saw the need for reform and played a vital role in Russia's history."

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton said: "He was courageous and steadfast on the big issues -peace, freedom and progress."