BOB DENARD, 78

French mercenary

Bob Denard, a mercenary who staged coups, battled communism and fought for French interests and his own across Africa for more than three decades, died Saturday in the Paris area. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular problems.

Once France's top gun for hire, he led uprisings in the Belgian Congo, Nigeria, Angola, Zimbabwe - when it was white-ruled Rhodesia - as well as Iran and Yemen. He claimed France often covertly supported his actions.