Arab states, leaders extend condolences to Saudi Arabia

KUN0089 4 GEN 0196 KUWAIT /KUNA-SCA8 POL-SAUDI-ARAB-REACTIONS Arab states, leaders extend condolences to Saudi Arabia CAPITALS, Aug 1 (KUNA) -- Head of the Iraqi National Society, Dr. Hajim Al-Hussaini, Forwarded Monday his condolences to the people of Saudi Arabia, for the demise of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz. Al-Hussaini told a Baghdad press conference today, "We extend our deep condolences to the Saudi people for the death of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz". In Cairo, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak sent his condolences to the Saudi people in his name and on behalf of the Egyptian people. The presidential statement said, "King Fahd gave a lot to his people, the Islamic and Arab nation ... History will record his many achievements in service of the two Holy Mosques, his people and country, as well as achievements in defending Arab issues with honor and loyalty and support of justice." Egypt has declared three-day mourning over the passing of the Saudi king. Meanwhile, Syria also announced official mourning and is to have the state flag at half mast for three days on all official buildings and Embassies. The Syrian television reported that Syria joins in the mourning with the Saudi people for the demise of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz. The television interrupted its normal broadcast since the announcement of the King Fahd's death, broadcasting a documentary on King Fahd's history and achievements. Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad had sent a cable of condolences Monday to King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on the demise of the Custodion of the two Holy Mosqyes King Fahad Bin Abdulaziz. The cable said, "In the name of all Syrians I extend to your royal highnessess, members of the royal Saudi family and the Saudi people, our deep condolences. May Allah the Almighty show peace upon the late king's soul." The Palestinian Authority announced official mourning Monday after the demise of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz. President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential statement on the official mourning period and reported lowering of the flag on all official buildings in the West Bank and Gaza. In Oman, the government announced official mourning and lowered the flag, and all state sectors will be closed for three days. The Omani News Agency quoted an official statement from the royal palace that the Omani leadership and people join in the mourning with the Saudi people for the death of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques. Jordan declared a 40-day mourning period at the royal palace to mourn the loss of Saudi King Fahad. An official statement issued by Amman said the Jordanian government was "confident that His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz has enough wisdom" to guide his country to prosperity, security and stability. "The Arab and Islamic nations have lost a leader who never backed away from any effort for the sake of achieving unity." Qatar's Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani joined the Saudi family in mourning the death of King Fahad and described him as "one of the most brilliant leaders and best men, who devoted their entire lives to serve their countries and people." The Amir declared a three day official mourning period. A three-day mourning period was observed in Lebanon as well with state offices closed and the national flags flown at half mast. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has lost a "distinguished king, who guided his country to progress and prosperity," an official statement issued by the presidential palace of Baabda said. "The king was one of the Arab nation's wisest men," the statement added. In a government decree, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora ordered all Lebanon-based radio and television stations to broadcast mourning programs "for three days ending Wednesday." Algerian President Abdel-Aziz Bouteflika cabled his condolences to the Saudi royal family. In a statement he issued, Bouteflika said the Arab nation missed the king's "wisdom and determination to achieve Arab solidarity." He added that he would attend the king's funeral Tuesday in Riyadh. Yemen declared a three-day mourning period. Yemeni radio and television stations interrupted their normal programmes to broadcast funeral music instead, and President Ali Abdallah Al-Saleh said in a telegram he sent to the new King Abdullah that King Fahad had passed away after a "life devoted to serving the Arab and Islamic nations." He said he would attend the funeral Tuesday. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abulgheit said Monday that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak would head an Egyptian delegation to the funeral in Riyadh Tuesday. The President of the United Arab Emirates expressed his country's pain at the loss of the Saudi monarch, and ordered a week-long mourning period during which national flags would be flown a half mast and all government offices would be closed. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani conveyed his condolences and said in a telegram that his country would observe a three-day mourning period starting Tuesday. The government said it would observe a a three-day mourning period throughout Iraq starting Tuesday. All national flags would be flown at half mast during this period. Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Qorei expressed his condolences to the Saudi Royal family. "The king spent all his life defending Arab causes, specifically the Palestinian one," Qorei said in a news statement. He added that the Palestinians were "pained by the king's passing away." Meanwhile, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Egypt Ahmad Khaled Al-Kuleib, who is also his country's permanent ambassador to the Egypt-based Arab League said he was "deeply grieved at the death of King Fahd." "The late king had played the most significant part in Liberating Kuwait in 1990," the ambassador said in a statement. Syria praised the achievements of the late king, specifically his sponsoring of the Taif Accord, which was concluded in 1990 and stopped the Lebanese civil war after a 15-year armed conflict. Syria's official TV reviewed the late king's legacy throughout his year's in office. "Relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia were excellent under the late Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad. They met more than seven times," the Syrian statement said. Condolences were also sent to Riyadh from the League of the Islamic World. (end) (more) kt.asa.eh