May 11, 2012
Shimon Peres well after minor surgery
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Israel's President Shimon Peres speaks to members of the Jewish community in Montreal on May 10. Photo by REUTERS/Christinne Muschi
Israeli President Shimon Peres successfully underwent a hernia operation in Tel Aviv on Friday, his office said in a statement.
Peres, 88, was treated at short notice after returning from a trip to Canada and his personal physician said the surgery had been “completely successful”.
The official statement read: “The president has awoken from the operation and feels well. He will remain in hospital during the weekend and is expected to return home on Sunday.”
Though the Israeli president’s role is largely ceremonial, Peres is held in high regard at home and among Israel’s allies as the Jewish state’s elder statesmen. A former prime minister, he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his part in the 1993 interim peace accord with the Palestinians. (Writing by Ori Lewis; Editing by Alastair Macdonald)
