"More than 30 diplomats signed the Foreign Ministry's book of condolence, which was closed at 2 p.m. Thursday; marking the end of the official three-day mourning period," said Alaudeen A. Alaskary, deputy minister for protocol affairs.

"The foreign envoys wrote messages of sympathy and signed the book of condolence on Thursday afternoon," said Alaskary. Biden and most of the foreign officials and envoys remembered the late Prince Sultan for his wise and commendable statesmanship in building strong relations with foreign countries and regional allies as well as for his generous support to international agencies and charities both in the country and abroad.

"The American delegation led by Biden met with Prince Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior; Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, foreign minister; Prince Khaled bin Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation; and other royal family members as well as high-ranking Saudi officials after arriving in Riyadh on Thursday," said Mofid H. Deak, a US Embassy spokesman. The vice president offered his heartfelt condolences to the royal family members and officials, he added.

The US delegation, which wrapped up its brief visit to Riyadh on Thursday, included Sen. John McCain, CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, US Central Command Commander James Mattis, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen and US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia James Smith. US President Barack Obama announced the visit of the delegation on Sunday after talking to King Abdullah by telephone. During the call, he also expressed his "personal condolences."

A large number of families, mainly women, went to the late Prince Sultan's Azizia Palace and offered condolences to Princess Nauf bint Sultan, his eldest daughter.

An Indian Embassy spokesman said Indian Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao signed the book of condolence on Thursday. New Delhi had sent a three-member delegation led by federal minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who joined in the funeral prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque on Tuesday.

"Azad, India’s minister of health and family welfare, met with Prince Salman and offered his condolences. He returned to India on Wednesday," said the Indian mission spokesman.

South Korean Ambassador Kim Jong-yong said: "Seoul would like to express its sincere condolences on the sad passing away of Crown Prince Sultan." Prince Sultan visited South Korea in 2000 and was remembered by the Korean people as a kind soul and charismatic leader, he added.

"In my capacity as ambassador of Korea, I would like to pay tribute to Prince Sultan and pray to Allah for forgiveness and mercy for him."

In a statement released to Arab News Thursday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak expressed his sadness. "The late Crown Prince Sultan contributed to the stability and progress of Middle East while serving as the minister of defense. The prince will be remembered by the Korean government and people as a statesman and peace-loving human being."

Brazilian Ambassador Cesario Melantonio, who is special envoy to the Middle East at the Brazilian Ministry of External Relations, too offered his condolences. Envoys from Austria, Japan, Italy and Sierra Leone joined a huge group of diplomats at the Saudi Foreign Ministry Thursday to offer their condolences.

"I signed the condolence book at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday," said Austrian Ambassador Johannes Wimmer. He said most of the foreign envoys were busy with their respective delegations on Tuesday and Wednesday and hence signed the book of condolence on Thursday. Also conveying his condolences was Sierra Leone’s accredited Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Wusu B. Munu.