Israel's President, Shimon Peres has begun a three-day visit to London and said there was a "fair chance" of a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinians by the end of next year.
Peres was addressing business leaders at Mansion House in the heart of the financial district, where he was presented with an honorary doctorate.
Shimon Peres, President of Israel said:
"I think we are far advanced, and I do believe there's a fair chance that in 2009 we may complete our agreement with the Palestinians. This is our hope, and this is our target."
But he also sharply attacked Iran, describing it as a "threat to humanity".
Shimon Peres, President of Israel said:
"I think that it (Iran) is really a danger for the rest of humanity. The combination of enriched uranium, of long range missiles, of a centre of terror and of a the sense that they have the right to kill people that they don't like."
Earlier, Peres said in a BBC radio interview that making peace with Syria depended on whether Damascus was prepared to rein in Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
During the course of his visit, Peres is due to be awarded an honorary knighthood by the Queen, and hold talks with prime minister Gordon Brown.
Ebru News/AP
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Israel's Peres Visits London
18
Nov
2008
Nov
2008
Ebru TV