Pakistan calls Richard Holbrooke 'a diplomat par excellence'

Condoling the demise of US special envoy for Afghanistan-Pakistan region Richard Holbrooke, Pakistan today described him as "a diplomat par excellence" who played a key role in confronting militancy in this part of the world.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in a condolence message, said that Holbrooke was "a friend of Pakistan and a personal friend" of his slain wife, former premier Benazir Bhutto, and himself.

Holbrooke was an "accomplished and experienced diplomat who quickly gained the confidence of his interlocutors," he said.

"Holbrooke was a key player in international diplomacy to bring peace to Bosnia and in confronting militancy in our part of the world," Zardari said.

Holbrooke's services will be "long remembered" and the "best tribute to him was to reiterate resolve to root out extremism and usher in peace and stability," Zardari added.

In a separate message, foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Holbrooke's "sudden passing away has left a huge vacuum."

He added, "Ambassador Holbrooke was a man of great qualities. His devotion to his profession was incomparable, and his understanding of the issues involved enviable. He was a diplomat par excellence."

Recalling his engagement with Holbrooke over the past two years, Qureshi said the US special envoy played "an important role in upgrading the Pakistan-US strategic dialogue to the ministerial level" and expanding the scope of bilateral relations.

Holbrooke died in Washington at the age of 69 due to complications from surgery to repair a torn aorta.