Kuwait in mourning over the demise of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

KUWAIT, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- A state of grief prevailed in Kuwait following the demise of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz who passed away in the early hours of Friday.
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah led a delegation of royal family members on a brief trip to the Saudi capital of Riyadh in sympathy over the demise of the 91-years-old renowned leader.
His Highness the Amir took part in the funeral ceremony of late King Abdullah who was laid to rest at the Al-Oud cemetary near Imam Turki bin Abdulla Mosque in central Riyadh Friday afternoon.
Due to the big loss of the death of King Abdullah, Kuwait has declared a three-day mourning as of Friday. In this regard and upon directives of His Highness the Amir the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has announced that Sunday January 25, 2015 is the third day of mourning and all government ministries and departments would be shut down in sympathy.
Union of Kuwaiti Banks also announced that local banks would not be open for business on Sunday. Friday and Saturday are already considered the weekend days in Kuwait.
Other activities were suspended in sympathy with the great loss of King Abdullah, when the organizing committee of the Fifth National Heritage Festival announced suspension of all of its events.
The suspension period is three days, said a statement by the committee, noting that activities would resume on Monday.
Moreover, organizers of the Qurain cultural festival announced suspension of their activities for the same reason.
On this momentous occasion Kuwaiti parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim and top officials extended their condolences in a show of reverence.
"Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Islamic nation lost a great leader and extraordinary statesman who devoted his life for the unity of all Muslims," Al-Ghanim, also chairman of the Arab Parliament Union, said in a statement, noting that it was hard to name and remember the enourmous achievements and courageous stances the late King Abdullah had undertaken in the service of the causes of the Arab and Islamic nation. He recalled the heroic stance of late King Abddullah against the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in the early hours of August 2, 1990. "For such brave stance, the name of King Abdullah would last long in the minds of all Kuwaitis", Al-Ghanim noted. First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah expressed the sadness and sorrow of the Kuwaiti government and people over the death of the great Arab and Islamic leader.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled recalled, in statements to KUNA, the late King's great and noble positions that reflected his brotherly sentiments, political wisdom and ability to manage many crises which the Arab world underwent during his tenure.
He said the Kuwaiti people still remember, with all respect and appreciation, the solid and principled positions of the late Saudi King during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait when he was still crown prince, as he worked with other GCC, Arab and Muslim leaders to liberate the State of Kuwait.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled appreciated the late King's distinguished positions regarding the GCC affairs, which were in the interest of the GCC member states and contributed to their stability, security and territorial integrity in spite of the "stormy events" which hit some Arab neighbors.
He pointed to Arab and international appreciation for the late King's stances, mainly great support for the Palestinian issue and recent Arab events, especially the situation in Syria.
Arab, Muslim and world countries and their peoples cannot forget the late King's noble positions and humanitarian projects based on the values of Islam and humanitarian and ethical principles, as well as his vanguard role and initiatives in the region and world, the Kuwaiti foreign minister noted.
This role and such initiatives would remain engraved in the minds of countries and peoples for years and decades to come, and would be shining marks of political and humanitarian history, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled added.
Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, on his part, said today that the deceased was a man of words and deeds and that his death was "a loss to us all".
The Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah also paid tribute over the demise of King Abdullah, noting that the Arab and Muslim world have lost a great man.
Sheikh Salman lauded the efforts of the Saudi King both on the regional and international levels, affirming that during his life, King Abdullah effortlessly served his country as well as the Arab and Muslim nations.
On his part, Chairman of the Board and Director General of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah said that the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was a great loss for the Arab and Islamic nation. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij said that King Abdullah was a strong individual and outstanding statesman who stood for the rights of the Arab and Muslim world both on the regional and international arenas.
During his reign which began in 2005, King Abdullah managed to further develop Saudi Arabia and history will remember his accomplishments for years to come, he said.
The deceased was the one responsible for launching the Arab peace initiative plan for the Middle East during the Arab summit which was held in Beirut in 2002, said Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij, noting that King Abdullah also had his mark in reconciliation plans throughout the region.
Sheikh Mubarak lauded late king Abdullah full support to Kuwait during the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, noting that the Kuwaiti people will never forget King Abdullah's stance during in the war to liberate Kuwait. (end) bz.