Light rains keep Trump from WW I memorial in France

U.S. President Donald Trump could notattend a commemoration in France for American soldiers and marineskilled during the First World War on Saturday because rain made itimpossible to arrange transport, the White House said.

The last-minute cancellation prompted widespread criticismon social media and from some officials in Britain and theUnited States that Trump had "dishonoured" U.S. military personnel.

The president was scheduled to pay tribute at a ceremony atthe Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, about 85 kilometres east of Paris, with his wife,Melania. But light steadyrain and a low cloud ceiling prevented his helicopter fromtravelling to the site.

"[Their attendance]has been cancelled due to scheduling andlogistical difficulties caused by the weather," the White Housesaid in a statement, adding that a delegation led by Chief ofStaff John Kelly, a retired general, went instead.

The decision prompted a rash of criticism on Twitter, withNicholas Soames, a British member of parliament who is agrandson of former prime minister Winston Churchill, saying thatTrump was dishonouring U.S. soldiers.

White House officials said the decision was taken due to theweather and cited security concerns in hastily arranging amotorcade. Similar concerns prevented Trump from reaching thedemilitarized zone between North and South Korea a year ago whenfoggy weather prevented his helicopter from landing.

Ben Rhodes, who served as deputy national security adviserfor strategic communications under former president Barack Obama, saidthe excuse about the inclement weather did not stand up.

"There is always a rain option. Always," Rhodes wrote on Twitter.

Despite the light rain, French President Emmanuel Macron andGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel held a moving ceremony inCompigne, northeast of Paris, to mark the 100th anniversary ofthe signing of the First World War armistice.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended his ownceremony to pay tribute to Canadian troops killed at Vimy Ridge,on the battlefields of northeastern France.

Around 70 leaders, including Trump, are scheduled to gatherat the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday morning to mark thecommemoration of the centenary of the end of the war, when some10 million soldiers were killed during four years of grindingconflict.

Instead ofattending Saturday's commemoration,Trump spent much of the dayat the American ambassador's residence in Paris.During that time hesent a tweet wishing a "Happy 243rd Birthday" to the U.S. MarineCorps.

Alongside Kelly,the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joe Dunford,and several members of the White House staff attended the ceremony without Trump.

The president is scheduled to take part in a ceremony at theSuresnes American Cemetery to the west of Paris on Sundayafternoon, when he is expected to make formal remarks.