Lome, Feb 6, SPA -- Togo President Gnassingbe Eyadema died ofwhat aides said was a heart attack Saturday, and the military immediately named his son as his successor. Eyadema, 69, who claimed sole control in 1967 after aidingin what was sub-Saharan Africa's first postcolonial coupfour years earlier, suffered a heart attack in his southeastern hometown of Piya early Saturday, officials said. Within hours, Togo's military high command declaredEyadema's 39-year-old son, Faure Gnassingbe, was the WestAfrican nation's new president. While the constitution calls for that power to go to thespeaker of parliament, Togo's military said the lawmakerwas out of the country and that it acted to avoid a "totalvacuum of power." State television showed military leaders, including armychief of defense staff Gen. Zakari Nandja, swearingallegiance to the late leader's son, who was the ministerof mines and communications. Prime Minister Koffi Sama called upon security forces tokeep law and order. He also announced all land borders andair space in the nation of 5.5 million people had beenclosed, along with the international airport in thecapital, Lome. "The armed forces and police must help preserve peace andnational security," Sama said on state radio. "All the country's political, social, religious leadersmust avoid any act likely to plunge the country intoanarchy and confusion." In Washington, State Department spokesman Edgar Vazquezextended condolences to Eyadema's family but alsoencouraged the country to embrace a more representativedemocracy. "The United States has long encouraged Togo to movetoward a full and participatory democracy and it continuesto believe that this must be the goal for the people ofTogo," Vazquez said. By law, the parliament speaker must call nationalelections to choose a new president within 60 days.--SPA1223 Local Time 0923 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/237139