Obituary: Sten Andersson

Sten Andersson, a leading figure in Sweden's governing Social Democratic Party and one-time mediator in the Middle East process, has died aged 83.

Andersson served as party secretary for 20 years and was appointed Social Affairs Minister in 1982 in the Government of Olof Palme, who was assassinated in 1986.

As Foreign Minister between 1985-1991, Andersson helped start a dialogue between the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and the US.

He developed close relations with the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and remained involved in the Middle East peace process in the 1990s.