Forceful former US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the main architect of the Iraq war has died aged 88, his family confirmed on Wednesday (June 30).

Rumsfeld, who President George W. Bush replaced as the United States found itself bogged down after three and a half years of fighting in the “War on Terror”, passed away from undisclosed causes surrounded by loved ones, the Twitter statement continued.

“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 statement began.

“History may remember him extraordinary accomplishments over six decades of public service, but for those who knew him best and whose lives were forever chaged as a result, we will remember his unwavering love for his wife Joyce, his family, his friends, and the integrity he brought to a life dedicated to country,” his family added.

A retired politician for nearly 15 years, Rumsfeld served as Secretary of Defense twice, first from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford.

Rumsfeld was again appointed from January 2001 to December 2006 in the George W. Bush Administration.

He is both the youngest and the second-oldest person to have served as Secretary of Defense.

As Secretary of Defense, Rumsfeld played a central role in the invasion of Afghanistan and invasion of Iraq after the surprise terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

Before and during the Iraq War, he claimed that the Saddam Hussein regime had an active weapons of mass destruction programme; yet no stockpiles were ever found.