World bids farewell to peace champion Peres

Nobel laureate and former national leader honored by friends, rivals

World leaders bid farewell to Israeli elder statesman and Nobel Peace laureate Shimon Peres at his funeral in Jerusalem on Friday, with US President Barack Obama hailing him as a giant of the 20th century.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was among the mourners at the city's Mount Herzl national cemetery and was seated in the front row, reportedly at the request of Peres's family.