Europe

Mario Soares, Portugal's former president and PM, dies at 92

Associated Press
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FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013 file photo, Portugal's former President and former Prime Minister Mario Soares smiles during the launch of his book "The Hope is Necessary" at the Belem Cultural Center in Lisbon. Portugal's Socialist Party, which Soares once led, said he died Saturday, Jan. 7 2017, at the age of 92. Soares had been hospitalized seen Dec. 13 2016. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Jan. 20, 2006 file photo, former Portuguese president and prime minister Mario Soares and his wife Maria Barroso stand together after an election campaign rally in Porto, northern Portugal. Portugal's Socialist Party, which Soares once led, said he died Saturday, Jan. 7 2017, at the age of 92. Soares had been hospitalized seen Dec. 13 2016.(AP Photo/Paulo Duarte, file) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this April 21, 1977 file photo, Pres. Jimmy Carter, right, bids goodbye to Portuguese Prime Minister Mario Soares, left, outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. Portugal's Socialist Party, which Soares once led, said he died Saturday, Jan. 7 2017, at the age of 92. Soares had been hospitalized seen Dec. 13 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Bennett, file) (The Associated Press)

Mario Soares, a former prime minister and president of Portugal who helped steer his country toward democracy after a 1974 military coup and grew into a global statesman, has died. He was 92.

Portugal's Socialist Party, which Soares once led, said he died Saturday. It did not give further details, but Soares had been hospitalized since Dec. 13.

Soares, a moderate Socialist, returned from 12 years of political exile after the so-called Carnation Revolution toppled Portugal's four-decade dictatorship.

He was elected prime minister and thwarted Communist Party attempts to bring Portugal under Soviet Union influence during the Cold War. Soares eventually helped guide his country from dictatorship to a place in the European Union.

In 1986, he became Portugal's first civilian president in 60 years and served two five-year terms.