Ex U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld passes away

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the main architect of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, has died, according to a statement by his family released Wednesday, reported Xinhua. He was 88.

"It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, an American statesman and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. At 88, he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico," the Rumsfeld family said in the statement.

The cause of the former defense chief's death was not immediately provided.