National flags are being kept half-mast as Ethiopia mourns over the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Tuesday.

Zenawi passed away last night due to sudden infection, state TV reported.

The premier had been recovering at hospital abroad, but passed away due to a sudden infection, Bereket Simon, Ethiopian minister of the government communication affairs office, told reporters on Tuesday here in the capital Addis Ababa.

According to the Ethiopian constitution, the deputy prime minister takes over in absence of premier.

"The constitutional procedures allow us to continue with the deputy prime minister as acting prime minister and he will take oath at the parliament," said Bereket.

Meles was president of the transitional government from 1991 to 1995. He was elected prime minister in 1995 and remained at the post ever since.