Jakarta: Former Indonesian president Suharto has died, police and doctors said on Sunday. He was 86.

Suharto lapsed into a coma ealier on Sunday, after his doctors said that his health has severely deteriorated.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave his condolence and called on Indonesians to pray for Suharto.

Members of Suharto's family had gathered late on Saturday night at the Pertamina hospital in Jakarta where he was being treated after his health suddenly deteriorated.

"We, the whole family, thank everyone who has prayed for our father," said Suharto's eldest daughter Siti Hadijanti Rukmana.

Officials said Suharto's body would be taken to Java's royal city of Solo on Monday for the funeral.

Suharto had been in hospital for more than three weeks, suffering from various heart, lung and kidney problems.

As he lay dying, Indonesians debated whether the government should push ahead with a civil suit or other legal proceedings against him for graft.

"The civil suit must be suspended because we are in no position to represent Mr Suharto because he has passed away," said Mohammad Assegaf, one of Suharto's lawyers.


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