McCain defends Clinton aide

Against the backdrop of stark polarization in American politics:

US: Republican Senator John McCain leapt across the political aisle Wednesday to defend a top aide to Democrat Hillary Clinton who has been accused of conspiring with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.

McCain railed against accusations from five lawmakers in his own party, including former presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, that Huma Abedin is somehow part of a Brotherhood conspiracy to influence US foreign policy.

Abedin, who is in her mid-30s, is a long-time aide of Secretary of State Clinton who has traveled around the world with her and acted as her chief of staff during her losing 2008 run for the White House.

McCain's intervention, delivered on the floor of the Senate, was startling as it came against the backdrop of stark polarization in America's bitter politics, with the rival camps in Washington gearing up for November elections. AFP