Former Israeli president dies at age 80

Former Israeli President EzerWeizman who built up the nation's air force died on Sunday eveningat the age of 80.

Before his death, Weizman, suffering from pneumonia, had beenadmitted in the Rambam Hospital in the northern port of Haifa forabout two months, the latest in a series of illnesses since hestepped down as president in 2000.

Weizman's medical condition had improved recently and he wasreleased from the intensive care unit at the hospital ten days ago,according to hospital sources.

Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres described Weizman asunique, saying "in war, he showed incredible bravery, and whenpeace appeared on the horizon, he enlisted for it."

"He always searched for the original, the daring and the new. Heknew how to warm the hearts of thousands," Peres told IsraeliChannel Two TV.

Weizman served as Israel's seventh president from 1993 to 2000.As president, he invited then Palestinian National AuthorityChairman Yasser Arafat to his house in an effort to advance thepeace process.

Weizman was forced to resign as president over a police probeinto allegations of bribery while he had served as a lawmaker andcabinet minister. Charges were never pressed as the statute oflimitations had expired.

Source: Xinhua