World offers condolences over King Abdullah's death

KUWAIT, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- World leaders are offering sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud earlier Friday.
In Algiers, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has declared a three-day national mourning following the passing away of the Saudi King, according to a presidential statement.
"After having learnt with deep sorrow the death of his majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika sent on his behalf and on behalf of the Algerian people and government his sincerest condolences to King Salman bub Abdulaziz, the new king of Saudi Arabia," it said.
The Algerian leader has also designated an important delegation led by Abdelkader Bensalah, Speaker of the Council of Nation, to represent Algeria to the funerals of the deceased king, it added.
Speaker of the Arab Parliament Ahmad Al-Jarwan offered heartfelt condolences to the Saudi government and people over the demise of the Saudi King.
Egypt's Islamic institution of Al-Azhar said it was learnt with much sadness the news of the death of the Saudi King.
The late King had great positions regarding Arab and Muslim issues and sought to create an Arab Islamic society of amity, cooperation and tolerance, it said in a statement.
In Doha, Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has mourned with deep sadness and sorrow the departure of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued by the Amiri Diwan, the Amir said the Saudi King was "one of the greatest and best leaders of our Arab and Islamic Nations who devoted his life to the service of his homeland and the nation." "He was one of the most sincere advocates of its causes, security and stability, and had a significant role in strengthening Arab solidarity and unity of ranks, and calling for dialogue, just peace in the region and renunciation of violence and extremism" it said.
The Qatari Amir ordered the declaration of three days of mourning, according to the statement.
In Beirut, Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam said: "With much sadness and sorrow, we mourn the death of the wise man of the Arab world and Lebanon's great friend, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques." Salam has announced a three-day mourning over the demise of the Saudi King early morning.
Several other Lebanese leaders and senior officials voiced much sorrow over the departure of the Saudi king.
In Rabat, Moroccan King Mohammed VI sent a message to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud conveying deep condolences and sympathy on the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.
In the message, the King said he was saddened to learn about the death of King Abdullah, saying: "The death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is a loss not only for Saudi Arabia but also for Morocco and the Islamic nation." The Moroccan King also recalled the noble qualities of the late King and his commitment to the just causes along with his endeavor to reinforce solidarity, brotherliness and unity among Islamic countries, according to the message.
In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who acceded to the Saudi throne, on the death of his brother, King Abdullah.
Putin said in a cable of condolences the king's death was a great loss to the kingdom and Saudi people.
Putin said he was convinced that the achievements made during the king's ruling would "ensure further progress and prosperity of Saudi Arabia and consolidate regional stability and security." "The deceased king was known as a wise and consistent statesman and politician, a leader loved and respected by his people and had a deserved authority on the international scene," he said.
"His Majesty ruled the country effectively and successfully on the important stages of its development and did a lot to improve the socio-economic situation of the [Saudi] people, development of the country's public institutions and fight against terrorism at different levels," he added.
The Russian leader also praised King Abdallah's role on the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
In Tunis, Tunisian President Bأ©ji Caأ¯d Essebsi sent a message of condolences to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the newly declared monarch of Saudi Arabia, following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud early Friday.
In his message, the Tunisian leader offered his sincere condolences and the Tunisian people's to the royal family and the Saudi people.
Caأ¯d Essebsi spoke of the late King's qualities, lofty deeds and vanguard role in overseeing the affairs of Islam and Muslims.
He also hailed the commitment of the late King to champion the causes of justice, peace and development in the Arab and Muslim world and the world over and emphasized his constant keenness to strengthen longstanding cooperation ties between the two countries.
The Tunisian leader also decreed earlier three days of national mourning with the flag lowered to half-mast.
In Brussels, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk expressed his sadness over the news of the passing of King Adullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia.
"King Abdullah was a strong partner for the European Union. He was a man of great vision and leadership who inspired Saudis for a decade as king, and for many more before that as Crown Prince," he said in a statement.
"It is our sincere hope that his successor King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud will build on King Abdullah's achievements to further promote modernisation and reforms for the benefit of the Kingdom and its citizens," he noted.
Tusk expressed, on behalf of the European Union, sincere condolences to the Saudi royal family and to the people of Saudi Arabia. (pickup previous) kt.mt