Shimon Peres, a former Israeli president and prime minister, whose life story mirrored that of the Jewish state and who was celebrated around the world as a Nobel prize-winning visionary who pushed his country toward peace, has died at 93.

Chemi Peres, his son, confirmed the statesman's death with "deep sorrow," as Peres's condition worsened following a major stroke two weeks ago.

"Our father's legacy has always been to look to tomorrow. We were privileged to be part of his private family, but today we sense that the entire nation of Israel and the global community share this great loss," said Chemi Peres. "We share this pain together."

In an unprecedented seven-decade political career, Peres filled nearly every position in Israeli public life and was credited with leading the country through some of its most defining moments, from creating its nuclear arsenal in the 1950s, to disentangling its troops from Lebanon and rescuing its economy from triple-digit inflation in the 1980s, to guiding a skeptical nation into peace talks with the Palestinians in the 1990s.

One of the country's most admired leaders, Peres first became a member of Israel's parliament in 1959. He held virtually every senior political office in Israel over his seven-decade career, including three terms as prime minister, as well as stints as foreign minister and finance minister.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu observes a moment of silence at the start of a special cabinet meeting next to a photograph of former Israeli leader Shimon Peres. (Ronen Zvulun/Reuters)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Peres in a video statement on Wednesday, shortly before convening his Cabinet for a special session.

Netanyahu said that Peres "never stopped trying to reach to peace and believing in peace. His hand was always extended to a historic compromise with our neighbours, and even if this compromise tarried, he taught us never to give in to despair, but to cling to hope."

Netanyahu, a longtime political rival of Peres, admitted that the two "had differences of opinion" but said their relations strengthened with time.

Officials said that Peres's body would lie in state at the Knesset, or parliament, on Thursday to allow the public to pay final respects. His funeral was set for Friday at Mount Herzl, the country's national cemetery in Jerusalem. Yona Bartal, a former personal aide to Peres, said the arrangements were in line with his wishes.

CBC's Adrienne Arsenault looks at the life and legacy of one of Israel's founding fathers 3:22

Israel's Foreign Ministry said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, U.S. President Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Prince Charles are among the dignitaries expected to attend. The Vatican said Pope Francis will not be able to attend as he is scheduled to begin a three-day trip to Georgia and Azerbaijan that day.

As word of Peres's death spread, reaction started pouring in from around the globe.

Obama recalled a relationship that began when he was a U.S. senator, and included a poignant visit to Israel's official memorial to victims of the Holocaust.

"Whether it was during our conversations in the Oval Office, walking together through Yad Vashem, or when I presented him with America's highest civilian honour, the Medal of Freedom, Shimon always looked to the future," said Obama. "He was guided by a vision of the human dignity and progress that he knew people of goodwill could advance together."

Nobel Peace Prize winner

The Centre of Israel and Jewish Affairs, a Canadian advocacy group, hailed Peres as a leader who "embodied the timeless aspiration of the Israeli people for a future in which their children will live in peace and security."

"President Shimon Peres was a visionary, statesman, philanthropist and a giant of Israeli life whose private and professional accomplishments over seven decades read like the history of the modern state of Israel," said David J. Cape, CIJA Chair.

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