U.S. special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke reacts during a news conference in Kabul in this October 27, 2010 file photograph. Veteran U.S. diplomat Richard Holbrooke was in critical condition after doctors completed surgery to repair a tear in his aorta on December 11, 2010, the U.S. State Department said in a statement. [Xinhua/Reuters]

U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke is "in critical condition" and has been joined by his family, the U.S. State Department said on Saturday.

"Ambassador Richard Holbrooke was admitted to George Washington University Hospital yesterday, this morning doctors completed surgery to repair a tear in his aorta," the department said in a brief statement.

The 69-year-old veteran diplomat felt ill on Friday when he was working on the seventh floor of the State Department building, where the office of State Secretary Hillary Clinton is located.

He was appointed as the special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan on Jan. 22, 2009.