Australian PM, at APEC, learns of father’s death

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard walks to her car following a press conference at the APEC summit in Vladivostok, Russia, Friday, Sept. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia — Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s father has died while the Australian leader is in Vladivostok for an APEC summit.

Russian president Vladimir Putin made the announcement Saturday afternoon to explain Gillard’s absence as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders met as a group for the first time at the summit.

Gillard arrived in the Pacific port city late Friday, but did not make a scheduled appearance Saturday morning at a meeting of business leaders taking place on the sidelines.

No comment was immediately available from Gillard or the Australian government.