Tunisia's Health Minister, Slim Chaker has died of a heart attack after taking part in a charity marathon to help fight cancer. The 56-year-old man, fell ill after running some 500 metres, and died in a military hospital, the health ministry said.

The marathon was held in the coastal town of Nabeul on Sunday to raise funds to build a cancer clinic for children.

Mr Chaker was appointed health minister last month in a major cabinet reshuffle. He was a former banker, who had served in the ministries of finance, sports and youth.