Foreign Minister Zaorálek to attend Peres funeral

Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek will attend the funeral of Israeli statesman Shimon Peres on Friday on behalf of the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka confirmed. The foreign minister will head the Czech delegation to pay last respects. Czech President Miloš Zeman will not be part of the delegation as he will be on a working visit to Greece, his spokesman Jiří Ovčáček said on Wednesday. His spokesman said the president would send a condolence letter; through his spokesman Mr Zeman expressed regret over Shimon Peres' death, calling him a great statesman who had been able to lead his country even at the age of 90.