Israeli President Shimon Peres defended beleagured Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday.

“In spite of all the attacks against President Mubarak, I know him for many years, throughout his presidency, and I accredit him as one of the persons who saved many lives by preventing war in the Middle East, who saved lives of Egyptians, of Arabs, of Israelis, by not allowing to renew a war," Peres said at the EFI Policy Conference in Jerusalem.

He said Mubarak's contribution to peace would never be forgotten.

— Molly Hennessy-Fiske

Photo: Israeli President Shimon Peres speaks at the EFI Policy Conference in Jerusalem. Credit: Bernat Armangue/Associated Press

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