Holbrooke had been very critical of former president George Bush’s Afghanistan policy, and his position Obama administration was considered critical as the new president sought to crackdown on al-Qaeda and Taliban in the region.
The special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan US diplomat Richard Holbrooke died Monday after undergoing a second round of surgery to treat a heart condition, the state department said.
Holbrooke was admitted to hospital in Washington on Friday morning after he fell ill and collapsed at the state department. Surgeons spent more than 20 hours trying to repair a torn aorta, but were unsuccessful.
President Barack Obama paid tribute to Holbrooke, 69, calling him "a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected.”
"He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country, and pursuit of peace."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who announced Holbrooke's death, spoke of a "sad day" for her and for the United States.
"Tonight America has lost one of its fiercest champions and most dedicated public servants," Clinton said in an emotional statement.
In Kabul, the top US commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus, hailed Holbrooke as "a true titan in the diplomatic arena and a central figure in the effort in Afghanistan and Pakistan."
The US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, said that Holbrooke "had a well-earned reputation for being tough, determined, indefatigable and firm in his convictions.
Holbrooke earned the nicknames of "The Bulldozer" or "Raging Bull." He brokered the 1995 peace agreement that ended the Balkans war, and was a key player in Obama's efforts to turn around the faltering nine-year-old war in Afghanistan.
The US envoy served as the US ambassador to the United Nations during the Clinton administration. He was also an ambassador to Germany from 1993 to 1994 and then assistant secretary of state for European affairs.
Holbrooke was once called "Washington\'s favorite last-ditch diplomat'' and "America's toughest diplomatic tactician\'\' by Time magazine, a US publication. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize seven times.
He joined Obama\'s administration in 2009 as special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, which involved co-coordinating the approach to trouble spots that are key foreign policy priorities for Obama.
He had been very critical of former president George Bush\'s Afghanistan policy, and his position Obama administration was considered critical as the new president sought to crackdown on al-Qaeda and Taliban in the region.
Holbrooke was admitted to hospital in Washington on Friday morning after he fell ill and collapsed at the state department. Surgeons spent more than 20 hours trying to repair a torn aorta, but were unsuccessful.
President Barack Obama paid tribute to Holbrooke, 69, calling him "a true giant of American foreign policy who has made America stronger, safer, and more respected.”
"He was a truly unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country, and pursuit of peace."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who announced Holbrooke's death, spoke of a "sad day" for her and for the United States.
"Tonight America has lost one of its fiercest champions and most dedicated public servants," Clinton said in an emotional statement.
In Kabul, the top US commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus, hailed Holbrooke as "a true titan in the diplomatic arena and a central figure in the effort in Afghanistan and Pakistan."
The US ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, said that Holbrooke "had a well-earned reputation for being tough, determined, indefatigable and firm in his convictions.
Holbrooke earned the nicknames of "The Bulldozer" or "Raging Bull." He brokered the 1995 peace agreement that ended the Balkans war, and was a key player in Obama's efforts to turn around the faltering nine-year-old war in Afghanistan.
The US envoy served as the US ambassador to the United Nations during the Clinton administration. He was also an ambassador to Germany from 1993 to 1994 and then assistant secretary of state for European affairs.
Holbrooke was once called "Washington\'s favorite last-ditch diplomat'' and "America's toughest diplomatic tactician\'\' by Time magazine, a US publication. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize seven times.
He joined Obama\'s administration in 2009 as special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, which involved co-coordinating the approach to trouble spots that are key foreign policy priorities for Obama.
He had been very critical of former president George Bush\'s Afghanistan policy, and his position Obama administration was considered critical as the new president sought to crackdown on al-Qaeda and Taliban in the region.
