Martin McGuinness leaves emotional tribute to Ian Paisley in book of condolences

"The peace process and I have lost a friend."

Martin McGuinness has left a touching message to the late Ian Paisley, who died on Friday at the age of 88. Northern Ireland's deputy first minister put his significant differences with the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party aside in recent years as they formed one of the most unlikely friendships amid a new era in Northern Ireland politics.

Today signed the Book of condolences for Ian Paisley in Derry's Guildhall.#Peace pic.twitter.com/Svx6wH1X7n — Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) September 13, 2014

'In rising above old enmities we pointed the way to a better and peaceful future. The Peace Process and I have lost a friend,' wrote McGuinness. Paisley will have a private funeral later this week, followed by a public memorial towards the end of 2014.