Peres praises outgoing army chief Ashkenazi as "best country has known"

‏            President Shimon Peres took leave of outgoing IDF chief of staff Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi on Monday, saying he will go down as one of the best chiefs of staff Israel has known. I have known all of the 18 army commanders who preceeded you, Peres said, and from the perspective of my years, I can make a true comparison among them all. Peres highlighted Ashkenazi's ability to rehabilitate the army from damages of complicated conflicts in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, boost soldiers' morale, reinstate public faith, and instill a sense in the government that there is someone who can be relied upon. Peres presented Ashkenazi with a statuette of Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion. Ashkenazi thanked the president for his personal and exceptional contribution to Israel's security. He stressed that the IDF is a strong, qualitative and deterrent army. Ashkenazi added that he is leaving the post with a feeling of satisfaction and pride, and a sense that the army is being handed over to good and professional hands. (21,58)