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"He played an essential role in all the key foreign policy events of my administration, including normalisation of relations with China, signing of the SALT II treaty [on arms control], brokering the Camp David Accords [on Middle East peace], and the Panama Canal treaties, among others," he wrote.

"He was brilliant, dedicated, and loyal, and remained a close adviser to my work at The Carter Center. I will miss him."

During the Iranian hostage crisis, Mr Brzezinski was also a leading force behind the failed US commando rescue mission, having come to believe negotiations would not work.