Netanyahu: Peres ‘a great man of the world’

Israel's prime minister has praised the late Shimon Peres as "a great man of the world."

Addressing Peres' funeral ceremony in Jerusalem Friday, Benjamin Netanyahu says the gathering of dozens of world leaders was a "testament" to Peres' optimism, his quest for peace and his devotion to Israel.

Netanyahu says, "He was a great man of Israel. He was a great man of the world. Israel grieves for him. The world grieves for him."

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton says Peres (shee-MOHN' PEHR'-ehs) was a "wise champion of our common humanity." In a eulogy to the late leader, Clinton called Peres Israel's "biggest dreamer." President Barack Obama says Peres showed that justice and hope are at the heart of the Zionist ideal.

Top officials from many countries are attending today's funeral in Jerusalem.

A military honor guard took Peres' casket from the parliament building Friday and escorted it and his family to a waiting vehicle. The honor guard recited "Kaddish," the Jewish prayer for the dead.

The casket will make the short journey to Mount Herzl, Israel's national cemetery, where Peres is to be buried alongside most of the country's past leaders.

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