The first head of state of Guinea-Bissau, Luis Almeida Cabral, passed away Saturday evening in Portugal, according to a statement by the Guinea-Bissau National Assembly.

Born in April 1931, Cabral became the first head of state of Guinea-Bissau when the African country announced independence in September 1973.

However, he was ousted in 1980 by then Chairman of the Council of Ministers Joao Bernardo Vieira, who was assassinated in March this year.

Cabral spent most of his time living abroad after losing power.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2009)