Luxembourg statesman Gaston Thorn dies

BRUSSELS, Aug 26 (Reuters) Gaston Thorn, 78, who served as president of the UN General Assembly, president of the European Commission and prime minister of Luxembourg, died on Sunday, the Luxembourg government announced.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker paid homage to Thorn, as did the European Commission.

''The people of Luxembourg bow their heads with emotion and respect before this great statesman, who served his country and Europe as prime minister, vice-prime minister and president of the European Commission,'' Juncker said in a statement.

Thorn was prime minister from 1974 to 1979, president of the UN General Assembly in 1975 and president of the European Commission from 1981 to 1985.

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