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Saturday, 11 March 2006, 21:54 GMT

Life in pictures: Slobodan Milosevic

Slobodan Milosevic (centre) in Kosovo in 1987

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Slobodan Milosevic's meteoric rise to power began in 1987, when he used the Kosovo issue to rally Serbian nationalists.

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Suddenly popular, he turned on his friend and political mentor, Serbian President Ivan Stambolic, forcing him from office.

Slobodan Milosevic in the Serbian national assembly

Slobodan Milosevic in the Serbian national assembly

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Once Stambolic had resigned, Slobodan Milosevic held the reins of power in Serbia.

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He officially became Serbian president in 1989, in elections widely regarded as rigged. He abolished Kosovo's autonomy the same year.

Slobodan Milosevic lights a cigar in his Belgrade office. File photo

Slobodan Milosevic lights a cigar in his Belgrade office. File photo

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Slovenia and Croatia declared independence in 1991. Mr Milosevic encouraged Croatian Serbs to rise up, then sent in troops. The Bosnian war started soon afterwards.

Dayton peace talks

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In 1995, the Serbs were driven out of Croatia. Mr Milosevic agreed to a Bosnian peace deal at talks in Dayton, Ohio.

Slobodan Milosevic and wife Mira Markovic

Slobodan Milosevic and wife Mira Markovic

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In 1997, he became President of Yugoslavia, backed by his strong-willed wife, Mira Markovic. The next year he sent troops into Kosovo, prompting Nato air strikes.

Crowds outside the federal parliament, Belgrade

Crowds outside the federal parliament, Belgrade

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Mr Milosevic's downfall began in 2000. He lost an election but refused to concede defeat, and was driven from office.

Mr Milosevic arriving at The Hague.

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Eight months later he was transferred to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.

Slobodan Milosevic at The Hague Tribunal. Photo: 2003

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He was tried for crimes against humanity and genocide, but remained defiant, refusing to recognise the court's legitimacy.

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