UPDATE 3

KABUL (PAN): The US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has died after surgery to repair a torn aorta.  He was 69. The American diplomat had been critically ill since he collapsed during a meeting with the US secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, on Friday in Washington.

Tributes have been pouring in for the man US President Barack Obama called a “true giant of American foreign policy”.

Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, with whom Holbrooke had an often rocky relationship, was grieved to hear of the envoy's death, a statement from the Presidential Palace said. 

Karzai said Holbrooke's death was a great loss to the US. "Holbrooke was a senior and intelligent diplomat in the politics of America and did a lot for the people of the US," he said, according to the statement.

Karzai had personally called Holbrooke’s wife, Kati, on Monday, while the diplomat was still recovering from his first round of surgery. Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistani president, also made a call to Mrs Holbrooke.   

Gen. David Petraeus, the general in charge of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, said Holbrooke's death was a tragic loss to the US, "this region, and our world”.

"Richard Holbrooke was a true titan in the diplomatic arena and a central figure in the effort in Afghanistan and Pakistan ... Indeed, it was with considerable pride that we called him our 'diplomatic wingman'."

The Washington Post reported that Holbrooke’s final words, as he was wheeled into surgery, were “You’ve got to stop this war in Afghanistan”. The comments were directed at his Pakistani surgeon, according to family members contacted by the Post.

Holbrooke had been tapped by Obama to coordinate the administration’s Afghanistan and Pakistan policy. He was said to be a hard-nose negotiator and spent much of that time trying to press the two leaders into working together against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, often clashing with Karzai.

He was also responsible for the civilian surge in Afghanistan which has resulted in over 1,000 Americans working on the ground to build governance and infrastructure.

The US ambassador, Karl Eikenberry,  with whom Holbrooke had worked to implement the US strategy in Afghanistan, also  expressed his condolences.

"Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke was a colleague, a friend to me and a champion for the people of Afghanistan. His lifetime of service to the United States and his contribution to our safety and security have been immeasurable."

Holbrooke’s death comes as the US is about to release a review of its Afghan strategy, one year after Obama ordered an extra 30,000 troops into combat. This year has been the bloodiest for foreign troops, with 692 international soldiers killed this year, compared to 521 last year.

Obama called Holbrooke a “true giant of American foreign policy” and said his diplomacy had 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."

Clinton said the US had lost "one of its fiercest champions and most dedicated public servants".

Mr Holbrooke is best known for brokering the Dayton peace accords in 1995, which ended the Bosnian war.

Vygaudas Ušackas, the EU ambassador to Afghanistan, said in Holbrooke’s passing, the US and the international community had “lost a visionary diplomatand a great statesman”

“His diplomatic legacy will serve as an inspiration to all of us to advance peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.”

The Taliban have also commented on Holbrooke’s death. While recognising his diplomatic skill in Bosnia, they said he had failed to achieve anything in nearly two years in Afghanistan.

They also warned US officials to take note, that in the days of the Soviet occupation, three Soviet leaders also died of heart problems.

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