Tito's widow 'living in squalor'

Mrs Broz has faded into the background since Tito died

The widow of former Yugoslav Communist leader Josip Broz Tito is living in "catastrophic" conditions, a minister in Serbia-Montenegro has said.

Jovanka Broz's shabby government-owned house in Belgrade has a leaking roof and no heating, Human Rights Minister Rasim Ljajic said after visiting it.

He pledged government support to repair the residence of Mrs Broz, 81.

She was put under virtual house arrest after Tito's death in 1980.

Mrs Broz has largely shunned publicity since Tito's once glorified role came under scrutiny with the collapse of communism and the break-up of Yugoslavia.

She has been living on a meagre state pension in Belgrade's Dedinje suburb.