WASHINGTON - US Vice-President Joe Biden said on Saturday he will lead the US delegation to the memorial service for the late Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Biden, in a statement, said he and his wife, Jill, were saddened to hear of Sharon's death.

"We send our condolences to his family and to his beloved nation of Israel. I look forward to leading the US delegation to his memorial service, to pay respects to the man and to pay tribute to the unshakeable partnership between the United States and Israel," Biden said.