Lindh was a heavyweight politician in Sweden and tipped to succeed Goeran Persson as prime minister

Additional Reporting By Yahia Abu Zakariya, IOL Correspondent

STOCKHOLM, September 11 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh, a key advocate of the Palestinian cause and boycott of Israel, died of hear wounds on Thursday, September 11, a day after she was stabbed by unknown assailant in Stockholm.

Lindh had been stabbed in the arm, abdomen and chest while shopping at a downtown department store.

But she died following massive internal bleeding caused by her injuries at Karolinka at 0329 GMT, Karolinska hospital told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

There is no information on the attacker, but reports said the attacker is of Swedish features and in his 30s or 40s, said IslamOnline.net correspondent.

Government officials had previously described Lindh's condition as critical, but not life-threatening. Her liver had been damaged in the attack, causing internal bleeding.

The attack on Lindh, who was without a bodyguard when attacked, brought back memories of the assassination of former prime minister Olof Palme, who was a key supporter of the Palestinian cause, as he was leaving a cinema in downtown Stockholm in 1986.

The Swedish intelligence opened investigations into Lindh’s killing, which shocked politicians in the calm European country, most of them are moving with no security guards.

It has also sparked debate on whether Swedish top politicians are well enough protected.

Lindh was a heavyweight politician in Sweden and tipped to succeed Goeran Persson as prime minister.

She was also a high-profile campaigner for Swedish euro membership, but her death casts a shadow over Sunday's Swedish referendum on the single currency, fueling speculation that the vote could even be called off.

Lindh was known for her criticism of Israeli oppressive practices against the Palestinians, and had earlier blasted the Israeli army's extrajudicial executions of Palestinians.

Palestinians are humiliated daily at Israeli roadblocks," she said in a statement, sparking the Israeli government’s scathing condemnation of her situation.

In June 2002,the youth wing of the Swedish Social Democrats, of which Lindh was a member, has pressed charges against hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of war crimes and violation of international law.

Lindh said in comments that she understood there was "both bitterness and anger because the Israeli government is guilty of violating international law."

‘Shocked’

Police cordon off the area where Lindh was stabbed with a knife at NK department store in central Stockholm

Lindh’s death shocked the European countries over the loss of a politician of a defiant mettle.

"It is with great sorrow that I received the news that Anna Lindh has died of the injuries she suffered," Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson told reporters.

"It feels unreal, it is hard to understand," said Persson, his voice cracking with emotion.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he was "deeply moved and shocked by the brutal murder" of his Swedish counterpart.

"It is deeply tragic that we have lost Anna Lindh in such a futile manner," Rasmussen said in a statement, noting that the Swedish minister was a "competent, respected and committed representative of Sweden".

"This murder moves us deeply. Violence should never be an instrument in the political life of our free and democratic countries," he said.

French President Jacques Chirac expressed his "very great sadness and dismay" over losing Lindh.

The French foreign ministry also paid tribute to Lindh's "European engagement... as well as her determined activity as the head of Swedish diplomacy."

"In these sad circumstances, the French authorities send their heartfelt condolences to his majesty the King of Sweden as well as the Swedish government," the statement from the foreign ministry said.

"True European"

The European parliament paid tribute to Lindh, observing a few moments' silence in her memory after she died following a knife attack.

"We will seek to maintain her commitment to European affairs. Let it be an example to us all," said German Social Democrat Christa Randzio-Plath, chairman of the parliament's economic and monetary affairs committee.

The committee heard the news as it prepared for a hearing with French central bank chief Jean-Claude Trichet, who is expected to become the next head of the European Central Bank (ECB).

E.U. foreign policy chief Javier Solana expressed shock at the death, calling Lindh a "true European."

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw expressed "shock and condolences" following the death which he described as “appalling”.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer paid an emotional tribute to Lindh, whom he said she was a “great European, a great foreign minister and also a very good friend”.

Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner said she was saddened and distraught at the death Thursday of her Swedish.