Obama sends condolences to Israelis after Sharon's death

U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday sent his condolences to the family of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and to the Israeli people over his death. "As Israel says goodbye to Prime Minister Sharon, we join with the Israeli people in honoring his commitment to his country," Obama said in a statement, calling Sharon a leader "who dedicated his life to the State of Israel." Sharon died at a hospital in central Israel on Saturday at the age of 85, after eight years in a coma. "We reaffirm our unshakable commitment to Israel's security and our appreciation for the enduring friendship between our two countries and our two peoples," Obama said. Obama said the United States continues to strive for lasting peace and security for the Israelis, including through the country 's commitment to the goal of two states living side-by-side in peace and security. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement that he was "saddened" to hear Sharon's passing and sent condolences to Sharon's family and to the Israeli nation. Biden will lead a U.S. delegation to Sharon's memorial service to pay respects to the leader and pay tribute to the unshakable partnership between the United States and Israel, said the statement. Moreover, Secretary of State John Kerry said America shares the loss of the Sharon family and the Israeli people and honors the leader's memory, according to a statement issued by the State Department. "He was prepared to make tough decisions because he knew that his responsibility to his people was both to ensure their security and to give every chance to the hope that they could live in peace, " Kerry said.