Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres gained support from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday after he officially announced that he would run for Israel's next president, local daily Ha'aretz reported.

Peres will be the candidate of the ruling Kadima party. He is running together with Knesset (parliament) member Reuven Rivlin of Likud and Labor Party's Colette Avital.

"I have no doubt that Peres will restore the honor and prestige to the presidential position, which is what the people of Israel deserve," Olmert was quoted as saying at a Kadima party meeting.

"The security of the State of Israel would be completely different if it weren't for his (Peres) work," Olmert added.

As the first to sign the form supporting Peres, Olmert said Peres would perfectly fit for the profile of the attributes needed by a president.

Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz and Knesset's Constitution Committee Chairman Menachem Ben-Sasson have also signed up in support of Peres, among others.

The presidential elections will be held on June 13. It is expected to be a three way race between Avital, Rivlin and Peres.

Source: Xinhua