Shimon Peres seeks Israel's presidency

Shimon Peres, Israel's elder statesman, announced on Wednesday his candidacy forthe presidency, a largely ceremonial position left tarnished by rape and sexual misconduct charges facing the office's current holder, Moshe Katsav.

Peres, 83, is often viewed as Israel's spokesman on the international stage and was a key figure in the 1993 Oslo peace agreement negotiations. It is the second time he has sought the position of president. He was defeated seven years ago by Katsav in a secret ballot in parliament.

"This may be my last chance to serve the country," Peres said after his Kadima party endorsed him for the June 13 race.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert pledged his support for Peres, who served three stints as Israel's prime minister, but was never elected to the position. The Polish-born Peres is best known in domestic politics for his five defeats as leader of the Labour Party.

In 2005, he fled Labour to join the centristKadima, now led by Olmert after the party's founder, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, was incapacitated by a stroke. Sharon remains in a coma.

"The people of Israel would be honoured to have Shimon Peres as its president," Olmert said. "Shimon Peres represents everything that is right, desirable and honourable in a president."

Katsav won't resign

The Israeli presidency is traditionally filled by elder statesmen, but has gained notoriety in the wake of the allegations against Katsav.

Katsav, whose term ends in the summer, insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing. He stepped aside earlier in the year to battle the allegations, but refused to resign.

A member of parliament since 1959, Peres has held a succession of senior posts, including the premiership, and ministerin thedefence, finance and foreign affairs departments.

He shared the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize withthen IsraeliPrime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

The winner will be decided in a secret ballot in the 120-member parliament. Peres is expected to face off against former Knesset spokesman Reuven Rivlin of the hawkish Likud and Labour's Colette Avital.