A former United States defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, has been reported dead.

Rumsfeld was the main architect of the Iraq war until he was replaced by former President George W. Bush.

A statement issued by his family on Wednesday disclosed that Rumsfeld died at age 88

The statement said, “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 did not say when Rumsfeld died.