Thousands of mourners have attended the funeral of Martin McGuinness, including former US President Bill Clinton and Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny.

Mr McGuinness, a former IRA commander who played a central role in the Northern Irish peace process and served as Deputy First Minister, died on Tuesday morning aged 66. He had been suffering a rare genetic condition.

The politician’s home city of Derry was brought to a standstill as thousands lined the streets to pay their respects as Mr McGuinnness’s funeral cortege travelled from his home in the Bogside to his local church.

His coffin was carried by Sinn Fein figures including party president Gerry Adams and leader in the North Michelle O’Neill.

Although his coffin was draped in the Irish tricolour flag, the funeral had no Republican or IRA motifs as the family had previously agreed with the Catholic Church.

The ceremony was an inter-faith event, with a requiem mass lead by Catholic priest Fr Michael Canny and Bishop Donal McKeown.

It also featured homilies from Protestant church leaders, including the Methodist and Presbyterian faiths, in a reflection of reconciliation between Catholic and Protestant communities achieved by the peace process.

Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams and Michelle O'Neill carrying Martin McGuinness's coffin PA (PA)

Mr McGuinness’s nephew Ordhan read a passage from Ecclesiastes 3:3, which included the tribute: “a time to kill and a time to heal”, in an apparent acknowledgement of the politician’s involvement in both the violent conflict and the peace process.

After much speculation, DUP leader Arlene Foster, who served alongside Martin McGuinness as Northern Ireland First Minister, attended the service.

She had previously refused to confirm if she would attend, due to Mr McGuinness’ involvement with the IRA during the conflict.

Ms Foster’s life was particularly marked by IRA violence during the Troubles. When she was eight years old, her father, a serving police officer, was shot by the IRA at the family’s Fermanagh home.

When she was a teenager, the terror group also bombed her school bus.

The coffin was eventually passed from family to fellow Republican politicians (PA) (PA Wire/PA Images)

British Prime Minister Theresa May did not attend the service. The British Government was represented by Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire.

Leaders pay tribute to Martin McGuinness in Westminster and Stormont

Both the current Irish PM Enda Kenny and his predecessor Bertie Ahern were in attendance.

Addressing the congregation following the mass, former President Bill Clinton paid tribute to Mr McGuinness.

In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Show all 18 1 /18 In Pictures: Martin McGuinness In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Northern Ireland's Former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has died aged 66 Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Martin McGuinness walking past a Bloody Sunday Mural in the Bogside in Londonderry PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shaking hands with Sinn Fein politician and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness at Hillsborough Castle, south of Belfast in Northern Ireland Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness AP In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, shaking hands with British Prime Minister Tony Blair as First Minister Ian Paisley, looks on at Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness walks past the Houses of Parliament in London AP In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator Martin McGuinness Reuters In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Republican party Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams standing with Sinn Fein politician and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness as he arrives to give a press conference at a hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness smiling after being sworn in as ministers of the Northern Ireland Assembly PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness celebrate at Kings Hall in Belfast with a supporter after hearing the result of the Irish referendum Reuters In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein member of parliament Martin McGuinness speaks to the media outside Holloway Prison, in London Reuters In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness embracing at Dublin Airport PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness US. President Bill Clinton shakes the hand of Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness as Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams watches, following Clinton's speech at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast Reuters In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Northern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at the opening of Ireland's first IKEA store in Belfast PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness addressing Nationalists after the march in Londonderry outside the Guild Hall PA wire In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Michelle O'Neill, the new Sinn Fein leader in the north takes a selfie with Martin McGuinness on the steps of Stormont Getty Images In Pictures: Martin McGuinness Bernadette McGuinness carries the coffin of her late husband Martin McGuinness in Londonderry, Northern Ireland Getty Images

Mr Clinton was heavily involved in the Northern Irish peace process in the lead-up to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement peace treaty in 1998.

He extended special thanks to Ms Foster for her attendance as a gesture towards the Catholic community in Northern Ireland.

He praised Mr McGuinness for realising “you could have an Ireland which was free and independent and self governing, but still inclusive”. He added that the Sinn Fein politician’s success in the peace process came from “expanding the definition of ‘us’ and shrinking the definition of ‘them’”.

Mr Clinton concluded his remarks, calling on the people of Northern Ireland to fulfill Mr McGuinness’s legacy and ensure peace remained in Northern Ireland.