Donald Trump and Barack Obama have led the tributes to former US President George HW Bush who has died aged 94.
The current incumbent of the White House, Mr Trump, said in a statement that he and First Lady Melania Trump “join with a grieving nation” to mourn the loss of Mr Bush.
“With sound judgement, common sense, and unflappable leadership, President Bush guided our nation, and the world, to a peaceful and victorious conclusion of the Cold War,” the statement said.
As well as the presidency, Mr Bush also served as vice president for eight years during Ronald Reagan’s two terms as president.
He defeated former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, the Democratic nominee, in the 1988 presidential campaign, and lost his 1992 re-election bid to Democrat Bill Clinton.
“President Bush always found a way to set the bar higher,” the current president and first lady said. “His example lives on, and will continue to stir future Americans to pursue a greater cause”.
The office of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama said Mr Bush’s life was “a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. And he did tremendous good along the journey.”
The Obamas credited him with “expanding America’s promise to new immigrants and people with disabilities. Reducing the scourge of nuclear weapons and building a broad international coalition to expel a dictator from Kuwait.
“And when democratic revolutions bloomed across Eastern Europe, it was his steady, diplomatic hand that made possible an achievement once thought anything but – ending the Cold War without firing a shot.”
They said: “It’s a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though he’d want all of us to try.”
The statement also mentioned Mr Bush’s former wife, Barbara, whom he was married to for 73 years before she died in April at the age of 92.
“George and Barbara Bush are together again now, two points of light that never dimmed, two points of light that ignited countless others with their example – the example of a man who, even after commanding the world’s mightiest military, once said ‘I got more of a kick out of being one of the founders of the YMCA in Midland, Texas back in 1952 than almost anything I’ve done,’” the Obamas said.
Reuters contributed to this report
