Ex-Israeli president Shimon Peres in hospital with chest pains

Israeli elder statesman Shimon Peres was hospitalised on Sunday for a second time in as many weeks after complaining of chest pains, an aide said.

Mr Peres, who was released from hospital last week after suffering a heart attack on January 14th, was conscious and the hospitalisation was a precautionary measure, Mr Peres’s aide Ayelet Frisch said.

“It was an irregular heartbeat and he will stay in overnight, hopefully he will be released tomorrow,” she said.

Israel Radio said the 92-year-old former president and prime minister was taken by ambulance to Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv, the hospital from where he was discharged last week.

A hospital spokeswoman said a statement would be released shortly.

Polish-born Peres is credited with setting up Israel’s nuclear capabilities, and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the 1993 interim peace deal with the Palestinians. He has served twice as prime minister and was president from 2007-2014.

He is also known for his stewardship of the Peres Center for Peace, a non-governmental organisation focused on building closer ties between Israel and the Palestinians, improving healthcare and developing local economies.

– Reuters