Former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur has died at age 70.

Arthur, who is Barbados’ longest serving Prime Minister to date, died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at around 12:30 am  on Monday morning, after having been admitted to the facility last week with heart complications.

The Government of Barbados, in announcing his passing, extended sincerest condolences to his widow, Julie; his daughters, Leah and Sabrina; and his extended family.

The country will head into a three day mourning beginning today (July 27) with flags being flown at half-mast. 

Owen Arthur was first elected Prime Minister of Barbados in 1994- and held the post until 2008.

He later served as Opposition Leader from 2010 to 2013.

He resigned from politics in March of 2018.

Arthur was replaced as MP by Colin Jordan, who has now been appointed to coordinate the funeral of the former Prime Minister