IN THE WORLD TODAY

Funeral sees tributes pour in for Powell

Respects were paid at the funeral of Colin L Powell, the soldier-diplomat who became the first black secretary of state. He has been remembered by family and friends as a principled man of humility and grace whose decorated record of leadership can serve as a model for generations.

“The example of Colin Powell does not call on us to emulate his resume, which is too formidable for mere mortals,” his son, Michael, said in a touching tribute at his father’s funeral service at Washington National Cathedral.

“It is to emulate his character and his example as a human being. We can strive to do that.”

The funeral drew dignitaries and friends from across the political and military spectrum.

Attendees included President Joe Biden and former presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama, and former secretaries of state James Baker, Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton.

Two recent presidents did not attend – Bill Clinton, who is recovering from a severe infection, and Donald Trump, whom Powell had criticised.

Powell died last month of complications from Covid-19.

He had been vaccinated against the coronavirus, but his family said his immune system had been compromised by multiple myeloma, a blood cancer for which he had been undergoing treatment.

Madeleine Albright, who was Powell’s predecessor as secretary of state, called him “a figure who almost transcended time.”

“He relished the opportunity to connect with other generations”, she said, and added that he was “one of the gentlest and most decent people any of us will ever meet”.