BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Presidential sources denied today the news that President Jalal Talabani was dead, as reported by Iraqiya TV.

The semi-official TV station, in breaking news, denied these reports, but "he is under intensive care in Baghdad Medical City".

Media organs reported today the news of Talabani's death in a Baghdad hospital due deterioration in his health conditions.

According to Para.3 of Article 72 of the constitution, Iraqi vice-president will replace him for any reason, provided that the Iraqi parliament should elect another one within 30 days.

President Jalal Hussam al-Deen al-Talabani is one of the main Kurdish personalities in modern Iraqi history.

He was a graduate of Iraqi Law College in Baghdad University, who practiced political work in the Kurdish Democratic Party, headed by late Mustapha Barzani till he reached to a leading member.

In 1975, he formed, with others, a new separate Kurdish party, called the Kurdish Union Party, under his chairmanship, which is regarded one of the main two leading parties in Kurdish region.