Holbrooke sent to previewed critical after (the Arizona Republic)

WASHINGTON (AP)--President Barack Obama Saturday night called Richard Holbrooke "an American foreign policy towering figure" and said that he was praying for the seriously ill diplomat, 69, Special Envoy of the President of the Afghanistan recovery.Holbrooke and Pakistan, has been described as being in a critical condition after undergoing surgery on a torn aorta.The veteran diplomat was meeting with the Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in the State Department Friday when suddenly he collapsed and was rushed at George Washington University Hospital a few blocks away.His family and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, and Clinton was Holbrooke at the hospital. "" Richard Holbrooke is a towering figure in American foreign policy, critical member of my team the Afghanistan and Pakistan and a tireless public servant who has won the admiration of the American people and the people of the world ", said in a statement.Obama Obama stated that he had spoken of the wife, Kati, Holbrooke on Saturday and told him that Michelle and I are praying for Richard. "" "We continue to pray for his recovery and to support his family during this difficult time," said PrésidentHôpital officials referred all questions about State, spokesman for the Department of State P.J. Crowley said on aortic surgery Holbrooke - a major artery blood from the heart - torn Department.Earlier Holbrooke has ended Saturday morning.Clinton visited the hospital Friday night and new Saturday.Obama at the beginning of his administration appointed Ambassador to the United Nations to administration Clinton Holbrooke sent special for the Afghanistan and seasoned diplomat Pakistan.The is perhaps best known for helping to negotiate the agreement that ended the war in American served Bosnia.He 1995. "" He was also Ambassador of United States in Germany between 1993 and 1994 and then assistant Secretary of State for European foreign to his assignment in the South of the country in 1962 service dates affairs.Holbrooke career time and included as a member of the delegation for the peace of Paris on Viet Nam. - Associated Press writers talks Matthew Lee and Anne Gearan contributed to this report.