US:US president George Bush's former press secretary Tony Snow, known for his genial jousting with reporters, died of cancer on Saturday at a Washington hospital.
Mr Snow (53), who had been a conservative radio and television commentator, left the post as Mr Bush's spokesman in September 2007 after taking the job the previous year.
Mr Bush said in a statement that he and his wife, Laura, "are deeply saddened by the death of our dear friend". He called Mr Snow "one of our nation's finest writers and commentators" who "earned a loyal following with incisive radio and television broadcasts". Mr Snow learned in March last year that the colon cancer he had fought earlier had recurred and spread. But he said his decision to leave was for financial, not health, reasons. He had earned far more as a commentator than his White House salary.
He was credited with livening up the daily news briefings and was admired for his skill at sparring with reporters.
Mr Bush noted that he had worked as a speech writer in the administration of his father, former president George Bush, "and I was thrilled when he agreed to return to the White House to serve as my press secretary".
The US president said it was "a joy to watch Tony at the podium each day".
"He brought wit, grace, and a great love of country to his work," he said. Mr Snow's colleagues "will cherish memories of his energetic personality and relentless good humour", he added.
Mr Bush's father, speaking on American TV, said Mr Snow did his job in a way that showed "the political process didn't have to be mean and ugly". Mr Snow "could disagree, but do it agreeably. He didn't have this cutting edge," the former president said.
US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi also praised Mr Snow who she said "always showed the kindness of his midwestern American roots".
He is survived by his wife, Jill, and three children. - ( Reuters)