Tributes paid to Israeli statesman Shimon Peres

Tributes have been paid to the former Israeli prime minister and president Shimon Peres, following his death aged 93.

Mr Peres, who was one of the country’s most admired leaders and the last surviving link to its founding fathers, had been in hospital since suffering a major stroke two weeks ago.

World figures paid respects to the elder statesman of Israeli politics who won the Nobel peace prize during his unprecedented seven-decade career.

Leading tributes was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He wrote on twitter that he and his wife “express deep personal sorrow over the passing of former President of Israel Shimon Peres”.

President Barack Obama hailed Mr Peres as a leader whose commitment to Israel’s security and the pursuit of peace “was rooted in his own unshakeable moral foundation and unflagging optimism”, during a long and personal statement. 

Mr Obama said Mr Peres looked to the future “guided by a vision of the human dignity and progress that he knew people of goodwill could advance together”.

He called him “the essence of Israel itself,” noting that Mr Peres had fought for the nation’s independence, worked its land and served in virtually every government position.

The president said that with the death of Mr Peres “a light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever”.

Former prime minister Tony Blair tweeted that Mr Peres was “a political giant, a statesman who will rank as one of the foremost of this era or any era, and someone I loved deeply”.

Current Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn posted this message on his Twitter:

Tributes were also posted on Twitter. An official whitehouse message said ““A light has gone out, but the hope he gave us will burn forever.”

Former President Bill Clinton said he’d miss ‘his friend’, adding that “his life was a blessing to all who strive for peace”

Other world leaders paying respects included Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau, Indian PM Narendra Modi, and former U.S. President George Bush Snr.