WASHINGTON 2 Sep (ANA) - Ex-presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush have paid tribute to Senator John McCain at a memorial service at Washington's National Cathedral.

 

The Vietnam War hero, who became one of America's most high-profile politicians, died a week ago from brain cancer at the age of 81.

 

His daughter Meghan was the first to speak, paying an emotional tribute to her father while also criticising President Donald Trump's agenda.

 

Mr Trump did not attend the service.

 

The two Republicans had major differences, both personal and political, and Mr McCain's family made it clear that Mr Trump was not welcome.

 

Members of the Trump administration who were present included the president's daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner.

 

Former President Obama paid tribute to the man he defeated in the 2008 US presidential election.

 

He described Mr McCain as an "extraordinary man - a warrior, a statesman, a patriot" who embodied much of what made America great.

 

Mr Obama said that, despite their many differences, "we never doubted we were on the same team".

 

He added: "John understood that our security and our influence was won not just by our military might, not just by our wealth, not just by our ability to bend others to our will, but from our capacity to inspire others with our adherence to a set of universal values - like rule of law and human rights - and an insistence on the God-given dignity of every human being."

 

Mr Bush - who defeated Mr McCain for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000 - paid tribute to the senator's courage, honesty and sense of honour.

 

"At various points during his long career, John confronted polices and practices that he believed were unworthy of his country. To the face of those in authority, John McCain would insist: 'We are better than this, America is better than this.'

 

"John would be the first to tell you he was not a perfect man, but he dedicated his life to national ideals that are as perfect as men and women have as yet conceived."

 

Other speakers included former Senator Joe Lieberman and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, 95.(ANA)

FA/ANA/2 September 2018---