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Obama's Af-Pak envoy Holbrooke in critical condition post surgery

Last updated on: December 11, 2010 22:23 IST

Special United States Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke is in critical condition at a Washington hospital after surgery to repair a tear in his aorta, according to the US state department.

"This morning, doctors completed surgery to repair a tear in his aorta. He is in critical condition and has been joined by his family," state department spokesman P J Crowley said.

Sixty-nine-year-old Holbrooke was admitted to the intensive care unit of the nearby George Washington University and was being treated for blood clot, the ABC news reported.

He was meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when he gasped and clearly was undergoing some sort of medical situation, it added.

Holbrooke, the Obama administration's point man for Afghanistan and Pakistan, has fallen ill when the annual Af-Pak policy review of White House is being carried out.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was also admitted to George Washington University Hospital for treatment for a kidney stone yesterday.

"He will have a minor surgical procedure this afternoon to remove the kidney stone, and his physician expects that he will be discharged tomorrow with orders to rest this weekend.

He has been told that he should be able to return to work on Monday," a Treasury statement said

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