Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi died late Monday night of an infection while recovering from an undisclosed illness abroad. He was 57.

The former guerrilla leader's health had been in question after he failed to attend an African Union summit in the Ethiopian capital last month.

After ousting former president Mengistu Haile Mariam's military junta in 1991, Zenawi served four years as president.

After his term, he was elected as prime minister, a position he held for 17 years.

Zenawi was praised by the west for his economic policies and his support in battling terrorist groups in Somalia.