Barack Obama 'heartbroken' at Ted Kennedy's death.
Summary: US President Barack Obama has said he was heartbroken when he heard of Senator Edward Kennedy's death.Politicians around the world have been paying tribute to one of America's most respected statesmen. Senator Edward Kennedy has died, aged 77, after a long battle with cancer.
Senator Kennedy, who was affectionately known as "Teddy", became the head of one of the most famous dynasties in the world after his older brothers - JFK and Bobby Kennedy - were assassinated.
Paying tribute, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would be "mourned not just in America but in every continent".
After following his brothers into politics, Kennedy eventually became the most senior representative of Massachusetts.
He backed Barack Obama to win the 2008 election and was working closely with the President to help him push through his liberal healthcare reforms.
President Obama has said he was heartbroken when he heard of Kennedy's death, adding: "Over the past several years, I've had the honor to call Teddy a colleague, a counsellor, and a friend. And even though we have known this day was coming for some time now, we awaited it with no small amount of dread."
Senator Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2008 and had to leave President Obama's inauguration lunch in January after suffering a seizure.
His death follows that of his older sister - Eunice Kennedy Shriver - who passed away a fortnight ago.
American media is reporting Senator Kennedy will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, where his brothers are buried.
Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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| Publication: | Independent Television News Limited (ITN) |
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| Date: | Sep 1, 2009 |
| Words: | 275 |
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