World leaders mourn King Fahd Monday 01 August 2005, 17:01 Makka Time, 14:01 GMT
Fahd’s death is described as a major loss for the Muslim world
Arab and world leaders have mourned the death of Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz as a major loss for the Muslim world.
Thedeath of King Fahd in a Riyadh hospital was announced on Monday. He wasbelieved to be 83-years old and suffering from pneumonia.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who called for theArab summit in Sharm al-Shaikh to discuss the threat of regionalterrorism after deadly bombings last month in the Egyptian resort,ordered three days of mourning nationwide. “The kingdomhas lost an honourable son and one of its dearest leaders… Historywill remember the great and numerous achievements he accomplished forthe sake of the holy sites, his people and his nation,” a statementsaid. Jordan’s King Abdullah, who was on his way to Londonfor talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair when Fahd’s death wasannounced, decreed a 40-day period of mourning at the royal court. “TheArab and Muslim world has lost an exceptional leader who did not spareany effort in order to unify Arab and Muslim ranks and defend theiridentity,” King Abdullah said in a message of condolence. InBeirut, the government ordered three days of mourning and the closureof public buildings on Tuesday to “honour the memory of a great man whoalways gave support to Lebanon”.
“The Arab andMuslim world has lost an exceptional leader who did not spare anyeffort in order to unify Arab and Muslim ranks and defend theiridentity”Jordan’s King Abdullah
PresidentEmile Lahoud expressed his profound grief and said the death of Fahd,credited with helping to end Lebanon’s civil war was a “great loss forthe Arab and Muslim world”. A three-day mourning period wasalso declared by the Palestinian Authority, which recalled Fahd as astout defender of the Arab and Palestinian people. “Hisdeath is a loss to the millions of Arabs and Muslims around the world.He was a leader who spent his life in defence of Arab causes andparticularly on the Palestinian issue,” a statement from Prime MinisterAhmad Qurei’s office said. A Saudi man closes his shop in Riyadh as the countrymourns
Saudi neighbour Yemen also expressed sadness at the death of Fahd. “Itis a great loss for Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Muslimnational. King Fahd’s death will have repercussions on Arab and Muslimaction,” Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Kurbi said in Cairo.
Pakistan will also observe a week of nationalmourning over the death of Saudi King Fahd, during which the nationalflag will fly at half-mast, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday. PresidentPervez Musharraf, expressing his and the country’s condolences in atelevised address, said: “In his death, Pakistan and indeed, the entireMuslim world has lost a statesman of high calibre.”
Western leaders
British Prime Minister Tony Blair described king Fahd a man of great wisdom and a “good friend” of Britain. A Saudi man kisses a television showing an picture of King Fahd
“KingFahd was a man of great vision and leadership who inspired hiscountrymen for a quarter of a century as king, and for many more beforethat,” Blair said in a statement.
In Paris, the French presidential palace sent itscondolences to Saudis, praising Fahd as a respected ruler and a friendof France.
“During his reign, Fahd was above all concerned about the security of his people,” the statement said.RussianPresident Vladimir Putin expressed sadness over the death of SaudiArabia’s King Fahd, saying he had been a strong leader.
“Thanks to his personal efforts, Saudi Arabiaachieved substantial success and significant strengthening of itsinternational position,” Putin said.”Thanksto his personal efforts, Saudi Arabia achieved substantial success andsignificant strengthening of its international position”
Vladimir Putin,Russian President
GermanChancellor Gerhard Schroeder expressed his condolences over the deathof Fahd, paying tribute to his “balanced policies” in the Middle East. “Hisbalanced policies and mediation in the Middle East brought him and thekingdom of Saudi Arabia respect and recognition around the world.”Schroeder said in a telegram addressed to the Saudi monarch’ssuccessor, Abdullah.