WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Tributes have poured in for former US president George HW Bush following his death on Friday at the age of 94.

Here are excerpts of messages from the worlds of politics, business and Hollywood:

– ‘Best dad’ –

“George H W Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for.”

— his son, former president George W. Bush

– ‘Faith, family and country’ –

“Through his essential authenticity, disarming wit, and unwavering commitment to faith, family, and country, President Bush inspired generations of his fellow Americans to public service.”

— US President Donald Trump

– An unlikely friendship –

“I am profoundly grateful for every minute I spent with President Bush and will always hold our friendship as one of my life’s greatest gifts.”

— former US president Bill Clinton, who defeated Bush in the 1992 election

– ‘True partner’ –

“We had the chance to work together during the time of enormous changes. And this was a dramatic time which called for huge responsibility from everyone. The result was the end of the Cold War and the arms race… He was a true partner.”

— former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev

– ‘Noble, joyous calling’ –

“George H.W. Bush’s life is a testament to the notion that public service is a noble, joyous calling. (…) It’s a legacy of service that may never be matched, even though he’d want all of us to try.”

— former US president Barack Obama

– ‘Example to us all’ –

“President George H.W. Bush’s ethos of public service was the guiding thread of his life and an example to us all. (…) Today Britain remembers a great statesman and a true friend of our country.”

— British Prime Minister Theresa May

– ‘Lifelong friend’ –

“I feel privileged to have worked with him, and even more privileged that he became a lifelong friend. He was, quite simply, one of the most deep down decent people I have ever known.”

— former British prime minister John Major

– ‘We will never forget’ –

“In 1989, at a time of upheaval and challenges, when the blocs were staggering and the decades-long confrontation was beginning to crumble, he bravely seized the opportunity to end the Cold War. He is among the architects of German unity. We will never forget that.”

— German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas

– Strong backer of US-Europe alliance –

“He was a world leader, who strongly supported the alliance with Europe. Our sympathy to his family and beloved ones.”

— French President Emmanuel Macron

– Making Europe safer –

“I will never forget the role he played in making Europe a safer and more united place following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain.”

— European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

– Embodied US values –

“President Bush was the embodiment of the values of the United States, standing up for what was right and fighting throughout his life for freedom from tyranny and oppression in any guise.”

— Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison

– ‘One last flight’ –

“President Bush has left us for one last flight but his destination isn’t unknown. He’s flying into the arms of the love of his life, Barbara.”

— Hollywood action hero and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

– ‘Great American’ –

“We have lost a great American. Service defined President George H.W. Bush’s life, and he taught all of us about leadership, sacrifice and decency.”

— Apple CEO Tim Cook

– ‘Truly admirable’ –

“It is truly admirable to have lived over 94 years. While nothing can replace the loss of a father, we can rejoice in the fact that his was a meaningful life, dedicated to public service.”

— Dalai Lama

– ‘Pray for him’ –

“I want to sincerely pray for him… When I visited the United States shortly after I took office as prime minister in 1989, Mr. Bush welcomed me at his home… When he visited Japan, we went out to eat steak together.”

— Former Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu