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Israel's Former President Shimon Peres dies at 93

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 11 February 2017, 5:46 IST

Former Israeli president and elder statesman Shimon Peres died in Tel Aviv on 28 September at 93 year of age, the official government Israel News Agency reported.

According to an international news agency, Peres was hospitalised after he had a stroke two weeks ago. According to reports he had made some progress before a sudden deterioration in his condition on 27 September.

Details of when the funeral will take place are unknown yet.

As prime minister (twice); as minister of defense, foreign affairs, finance and transportation; and, until 2014, as president, Mr. Peres never left the public stage during Israel's seven decades reports The New York Times.

It was Perez who led the creation of Israel's defence industry and negotiated important arms deals with France and Germany.

According to the report, he was also the main person behind Israel's nuclear weapons and after he was chosen as president in 2007, Perez had complicated relations with Prime Minister benjamin Netanyahu's elected hawkish government.

Peres was so witty that he was once quoted saying "For 60 years, I was the most controversial figure in the country, and suddenly I'm the most popular man in the land. Truth be told, I don't know when I was happier, then or now," reports The New York Times.

First published: 28 September 2016, 8:12 IST