Djibouti, DJIBOUTI: (FILES) A picture taken 10 April 1999 shows Djibouti's outgoing president Hassan Gouled Aptidon giving a press conference in Djibouti. Former Djibouti president Hassan Gouled Aptidon, the country's first ruler after independence from France in 1977, has died at his home after a long illness, a member of his family said 22 November 2006. Approximately 90 years old, Aptidon was buried within hours of his death Tuesday before a large crowd, in keeping with Muslim tradition.