Tributes pour in for long-serving former Saudi FM

Riyadh: Tributes flowed Friday following the death of Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al Faisal, the world’s longest-serving foreign minister, credited with facing down successive regional crises and forging strong ties with the West.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud on the death of Prince Saud Al Faisal. He also sent a cable of condolences to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Naif, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior.

Shaikh Mohammad expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family, praying to Allah to bestow mercy on the soul of the deceased.

His Highness dispatched similar cable of condolences to Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman the minister of Defence.

--His Highness Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has sent a cable of condolences to Saudi King Salman on the death of AL Faisal. He expressed expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family, praying to Allah to bestow mercy on the soul of the deceased.

- His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has sent a cable of condolences to Saudi King Salman on the death of Al Faisal.

He expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family, praying to Allah to bestow mercy on the soul of the deceased.

- His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain has sent a cable of condolences to Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud on the death of Al Faisal. He expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family, praying to Allah to bestow mercy on the soul of the deceased.

Ajman Ruler / condolences / Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz

-His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has sent a cable of condolences to Saudi King Salman on the death of Al Faisal. He expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family, praying to Allah to bestow mercy on the soul of the deceased.

- His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, has sent a cable of condolences to Saudi King Salman on the death of Al Faisal. He expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family, praying to Allah to bestow mercy on the soul of the deceased.

-His Highness Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, said the late Saudi prince was one of the rare personalities who had positively contributed to the Arab and Islamic history since he was a statesman who was full of energy and has a far-sighted political vision as well as a wise man of an exceptional character.

He added that for over four decades, he has been a security valve for political balances in the region, adding that he was the man of peace who had solved a number of political disputes which lasted for long years.

“He was a dedicated politician but also a highly intellectual instructor of his generation, man of peace, balanced and moderate-thinker,” he said.

“I learned a lot from Al Faisal and his noble characteristics such as his modesty.” Shaikh Abdullah expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the prince and the Saudi people.

Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Eyad Madani, expressing his deep sadness at the passing away of Prince Saud Al Faisal, said that for four decades, Prince Saud was the flagship of Saudi diplomacy and always in the front lines defending and promoting Arab and Muslim interests.

“His wisdom, clear vision, through understanding and full grasp of the issues will be sorely missed,” he added.

The Secretary-General added that the world will forever remember the prince as a towering figure of modern diplomacy; and as a leader who fought for the belief and principles of his country, for Arab and Muslim convictions and for peace, stability, understanding and tolerance in the world.

Madani offered his heartfelt condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the royal family, Prince Saud’s family and to the people of Saudi Arabia at their loss.

“Generations of American leaders and diplomats benefited from Prince Saud’s thoughtful perspective, charisma and poise, and diplomatic skill,” President Barack Obama said in a statement.

“He was committed to the importance of the US-Saudi relationship and the pursuit of stability and security in the Middle East and beyond, and his legacy will be remembered around the world.”

John Kerry, the US Secretary of State, called Saud “a man of vast experience, personal warmth, great dignity”.

The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Friday reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had called King Salman “expressing sorrow” at Saud’s death.

Citing statements from Shaikh Ahmad Al Tayyeb, the head of Egypt’s Al Azhar, the agency said officials paid tribute to a “man of peace, (a) balanced and moderate thinker.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron said he and others had benefited from Saud’s “great wisdom in international affairs over his long years of service”.

Saud “worked tirelessly for peace and stability in the Middle East”, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.