BBC correspondent Jon Leyne dies at 55

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 27 July 2013

Jon Leyne, respected BBC foreign correspondent, has passed away at the age of 55. He was known for his extensive coverage of global conflicts over 25 years.

Summary

LONDON: BBC foreign correspondent Jon Leyne, who spent more than 25 years crossing continents and covering conflicts for the broadcaster, has died. He was 55.

The BBC said on its website Saturday that Leyne had been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor earlier this year after returning to Britain from Cairo to seek treatment for severe headaches.

Acting news director Fran Unsworth called Leyne a "brave and courageous journalist."

After joining the BBC in 1985, Leyne worked as a United Nations correspondent and was the U.S. State Department correspondent during the Sept. 11 attacks.

His work also took him through Europe and the Middle East. He covered the 2006 conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, was expelled from Iran while covering 2009 elections and most recently covered the Arab Spring. - AP

KEY POINTS:

• Leyne was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor earlier this year.
• He worked for the BBC for over 25 years, covering major global events.
• Notable roles included UN correspondent and U.S. State Department correspondent during 9/11.
• He covered the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.
• Leyne reported extensively on the Arab Spring and had a history of risky assignments.