TEL AVIV - Israeli President Shimon Peres is recovering in a hospital here after fainting on stage during a conference.

Peres, who was elected president in 2007, is under observation in the cardiology department of the Tel Hashomer hospital in Tel Aviv. Sky News reports.

The 86-year-old has had tests but “feels fine” following the incident at the Yitzhak Rabin Centre.

His spokeswoman Ayelet Frisch said: “The president apparently suffered a drop in blood pressure.

“He is now fully functional and his personal doctor ran a series of tests which were normal. We can relax now. I’ve spoken to him and he’s fully conscious.”

The president’s personal doctor, who is also his son-in-law, added: “It was very hot and he was standing for a long time and began to feel weak. He fainted for a few seconds. Now he feels fine, is smiling and speaking on the phone to everyone.”

Peres has cancelled some of his official engagements because of the incident, Frisch said. (ANI)