TIRANA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Albania's former president Bujar Nishani died on Saturday due to serious health problems, Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) reported.
In a message posted on social media, Albanian President Ilir Meta said Nishani will always be remembered with respect for his contribution to the country.
"Nishani will be always remembered as a personality with rare values and as a leader with integrity and vision," Meta said.
Nishani, 55, started his political career in 1991 when he joined the country's Democratic Party (DP). In July 2005, he was elected as a member of parliament.
During the eight-year period when the country was ruled by the DP (2005-2013), Nishani held the position of interior minister and of the justice minister.
In July 2012, he was elected president of the country, a position which he held for five years. ■