A court in Zambia has ruled that the country's former president, Kenneth Kaunda, is officially stateless.

The judge told a packed courtroom that Mr Kaunda, who was born to Malawian parents, had failed to apply for Zambian citizenship, and had no legal right to be Zambian.

Correspondents say the court's decision would enable the government to deport Mr Kaunda.

Lawyers for the former president have said they'll appeal. Analysts say they believe the government may be trying to remove Mr Kaunda from the political scene at a time when some of his supporters have been calling for his return to politics.