World leaders have expressed their grief over the passing of Shimon Peres. The Chinese foreign ministry commended him as a founder of the peace process in the Middle East.

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Peres played a central role in the country's foundation, and served it throughout his life.

US President Barack Obama noted Peres was one of the few people who changed the course of human history. And Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Peres for his "courage and patriotism", towards a peaceful settlement in the region.