DHAKA: Hundreds of Israeli VIPs and foreign dignitaries have attended the memorial service of former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon.

Monday’s state ceremony remembered the controversial Sharon as a fearless warrior and bold leader who devoted his life to protecting his country`s security.

US vice president Joe Biden talked about a decades-long friendship with Sharon, saying his death felt ‘like a death in the family’.

Biden added that he understood how Sharon earned the nickname ‘The Bulldozer’, as he would repeatedly make the same points and drive them home during meetings.

As a reminder of the precarious security situation in Israel, Palestinian fighters fired two rockets from the Gaza strip on Monday despite warnings from Israel not to do so.

But the missiles did not reach Israel and no injuries were reported.

Israel had increased security for Sharon’s memorial and funeral near the Gaza border in anticipation of potential violence from Palestine.

BDST: 1752 HRS, JAN 13, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor