Israeli President Shimon Peres celebrated his upcoming 90th birthday on Tuesday in the presence of world leaders and international celebrities.
Among the guests were the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the former US President Bill Clinton, who both gave a speech.
US President Barack Obama, who is in Northern Ireland for the G8 summit, sent a pre-recorded message expressing his birthday wishes to Peres "on behalf of the American people".
There was also a special performance from singer Barbra Streisand, who sang one of her greatest hits, "People", as well as the Hebrew prayer "Avinu Malkeinu".
Peres took to the stage and called for an end to the conflict in the Middle East.
"We want peace with our neighbours," he said. "The yesterday between us and the Palestinians is full of sorrow."
"I believe that the Israel of tomorrow and the Palestine of tomorrow can give our children light and hope."
Scattered in the audience among Israeli Cabinet ministers and local clergy were Hollywood stars Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame sat in the front row beside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is now an international envoy to the Middle East.
Peres served twice as prime minister and promoted peace between Israel and the Palestinians, sometimes reaching far ahead of his own people.
For his role in the landmark interim peace accord in 1993, he received the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize along with Israel's then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and then-Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
His tireless campaigning for a peace agreement has won him supporters and sympathisers around the world.
His last five years as Israel's president has also gained him affection at home, absent during much of his political career.
Among the guests were the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the former US President Bill Clinton, who both gave a speech.
US President Barack Obama, who is in Northern Ireland for the G8 summit, sent a pre-recorded message expressing his birthday wishes to Peres "on behalf of the American people".
There was also a special performance from singer Barbra Streisand, who sang one of her greatest hits, "People", as well as the Hebrew prayer "Avinu Malkeinu".
Peres took to the stage and called for an end to the conflict in the Middle East.
"We want peace with our neighbours," he said. "The yesterday between us and the Palestinians is full of sorrow."
"I believe that the Israel of tomorrow and the Palestine of tomorrow can give our children light and hope."
Scattered in the audience among Israeli Cabinet ministers and local clergy were Hollywood stars Robert De Niro and Sharon Stone.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame sat in the front row beside former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is now an international envoy to the Middle East.
Peres served twice as prime minister and promoted peace between Israel and the Palestinians, sometimes reaching far ahead of his own people.
For his role in the landmark interim peace accord in 1993, he received the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize along with Israel's then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and then-Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
His tireless campaigning for a peace agreement has won him supporters and sympathisers around the world.
His last five years as Israel's president has also gained him affection at home, absent during much of his political career.
