The first president of Algeria after its independence, Ahmed Ben Bella, also known as one of the 20th century’s most vocal anti-imperialists, died Wednesday at the age of 95.

The first president of Algeria after its independence, Ahmed Ben Bella, also known as one of the 20th century's most vocal anti-imperialists, died Wednesday at the age of 95.

Ben Bella, who had recently been released from a hospital stay for respiratory problems, died at his family’s house in Algiers, state news agency APS reported.

Algerian President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika said in a message on the national television: "Today we lost one of modern Algeria's bravest leaders,” declaring an eight-day period of national mourning starting Wednesday.

According to AFP, the funeral will be held Friday at Algiers' Al Alia cemetery.

The news agency quoted Ben Bella's biographer Mohammed Benelhadj as saying that “Ben Bella was in good shape yesterday, but then he felt very tired and went up to his room to sleep."

He said the ex-president died in his sleep around 3:00 pm (1400 GMT).

Ben Bella was president of Algeria from 1963 to 1965, when he was overthrown by his Defense Minister, Houari Boumediene.