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"Bapak (Father) Muhamad Suharto, on Sunday, January 27, 2008, at about 1:10 pm (0610 GMT) died at Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta," Dr Mardjo Soebiandono, chief of the doctors caring former strongman, announced the former leader's dead, flanked by three of Suharto's six children who were in tears.

All of Suharto's offspring were present at his bedside when the former strongman died.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced Suharto's died nationwide, expressed deep sympathy as individual and on behalf of the country, government and people prayed for Suharto in the hope that Allah would rest his soul.

The former dictator was rushed to Jakarta's Pertamina Hospital on January 4 with swollen intestines, a low heart rate and anaemia. Doctors said since 1 am Sunday (1800 GMT Saturday), he has been in "very critical" condition.

Suharto had been in and out of hospital for various ailments in recent years, including at least two strokes and stomach problems. Suharto had been accused of being one of the 20th century's worst kleptocrats by amassing billions of dollars for himself, his family and cronies while in power.

A criminal trial against him was abandoned on health grounds, though a civil suit is currently being heard.

The government is seeking 1.4 billion dollars in damages and returned assets allegedly accrued through a charitable foundation Suharto chaired while in power.

The 86-year-old was rushed to hospital on January 4 with severe heart, lung and kidney problems and suffered multiple organ failure.

Suharto, who ran the world's fourth most-populous country with an iron fist for 32 years, was forced to step down in 1998 amid deadly riots and mass pro-democracy protests that were sparked by the 1997 Asian economic crisis.

Human rights groups accused Suharto of killing hundreds of thousands of people, including up to 500,000 alleged communist sympathizers, in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt that help him rise to power in 1965.

After leaving office he dropped out of public view and avoided criminal trial for massive corruption allegations by citing poor health. Doctors have said two strokes left him with some permanent brain damage.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur