Czech prime minister pays tribute to Shimon Peres

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka has joined world leaders in paying tribute to former Israeli prime minister, president, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres who died in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 93. Mr Peres had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke two weeks ago. Mr Sobotka called Shimon Peres a major figure in Israeli politics and his death a huge loss for Israel, stressing that politicians of his stature were needed to end "violence and religious fundamentalism" in the region of the Middle East. The statesman's funeral is scheduled for Friday and is due to be attended by world leaders including US President Barack Obama, US presidential candidate and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, former US president Bill Clinton, Pope Francis, Prince Charles and many others.