The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo, has extended condolences to the people of Israel over the passing of former President Shimon Peres.

Peres, 93, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, died on Wednesday, some two weeks after suffering what officials termed a major stroke.

"Sympathy and solidarity with Israel, the family and many friends of Shimon Peres; a great statesman has passed on!” Mushikiwabo wrote on her official Twitter handle.

Mushikiwabo is also the Spokesperson of the Government of Rwanda.

Peres, who is affectionately referred to as "founder of modern Israel,” was mourned by his son during a news conference, according to agencies.

"Our father's legacy has always been the future. Look to tomorrow, he taught us," said Chemi Peres.

"Today, we sense that the entire nation of Israel and the global community mourns this great loss," he added. "We share this pain together."

Officials said that Peres' 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.

The Israeli foreign ministry said that US President Barack Obama, former US President Bill Clinton and his wife and current US presidential hopeful Hillary, the Pope, and UK's Prince Charles are among those who will attend Peres' funeral.

‘The essence of Israel itself’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his "deep personal grief" in a statement in which he called Peres "the beloved of the nation". Netanyahu is expected to deliver a personal message later on Wednesday, and the Israeli cabinet will convene for a special mourning session.

Obama was quick to pay his respects, remembering Peres as "our dear friend" and "the essence of Israel itself".

"There are few people who we share this world with who change the course of human history, not just through their role in human events, but because they expand our moral imagination and force us to expect more of ourselves. My friend Shimon was one of those people," a White House statement quoted Obama as saying.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "Shimon Peres was, above all, a man of peace. My deepest condolences to his loved ones and to the people of Israel on his passing."

Peres had been in hospital near Tel Aviv since September 13, when he was admitted feeling unwell and suffered the stroke with internal bleeding.

Israel has been on edge over the health of its last remaining founding father, who had been under sedation and respiratory support in intensive care.

Peres held nearly every major office in the country, serving twice as prime minister and also as president, a mostly ceremonial role, from 2007 to 2014.