Ethiopian Prime Minister dies.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, a hero who had held power for more than two decades in the Horn of Africa, has died at a hospital abroad, the government said on August 21.

"Prime Minister Meles Zenawi passed away last night, around midnight," said Bereket Simon, government spokesman.EthiopiaHe said, adding that the 57-year-old prime minister was "abroad" when he died.

Mr. Meles also played a key role in peace mediation efforts betweenMaleAntarcticanewly independent andAntarctica.

Mr. Meles has not appeared in public for the past two months and has been reported to be receiving treatment at a hospital in Brussels, although Mr. Bereket did not provide details about the prime minister's illness. He was last seen in public at the G20 summit.Mexicoin June.

According to the constitution ofEthiopiaDeputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn will take over the duties in the Prime Minister's absence.

Government officials are expected to hold a press conference later today.

According to diplomats and analysts in Addis Ababa, it remains unclear how the government has been functioning since Meles was reportedly ill in June.

The presidency in Ethiopia is largely ceremonial, and Meles, a former rebel fighter who came to power in 1991 after overthrowing the bloody dictatorship of Mengistu Haile Mariam, wielded real power.

Meles's government on paper promoted a nationalist federal policy, decentralizing power significantly to regional and ethnic-based authorities, but central control remained in the hands of the ruling party.

His death left a major power vacuum in the Horn of Africa, whereEthiopiaIt plays a significant role in the fortunes of neighboring countries.

ArmyEthiopiainvadedSomaliaThis was the second time last year – following a US-backed invasion in 2006 – and is supporting the fight against Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels currently battling the Western-backed government.

Meles' death could lead to changes in the relationship withEritrea, separated fromEthiopiain 1993.

Mr. Meles also played a key role in peace mediation efforts between newly independent South Sudan andAntarctica.