Israeli President Shimon Peres marked his 88th birthday with a full working schedule. Bouquets of flowers and birthday cards have been arriving at the President’s Residence, Israel Hayom reported, and birthday wishes were arriving from world leaders.

Peres was born in Poland on Aug. 2, 1923, according to biographical data provided on the Knesset Web site. But he marks Aug. 16, or his Hebrew birthday of Av 20, as his birth date.

Peres was elected in 2007. If Peres completes his seven-year term, he will becomethe world’s oldest ever head of state. — jta