RIYADH, 2 August 2005 — A number of foreign heads of state and dignitaries including French President Jacques Chirac, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Bangladeshi President Dr. Iyajuddin Ahmed will join thousands of mourners to pay their last respects to the late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, who died here yesterday.
The US Embassy could not confirm the level of their official delegation. Andrew Mitchell, a spokesman of the embassy, however, said that they were waiting for the announcement to be made by Washington.
“President Chirac will lead a delegation to Riyadh Tuesday to offer his condolences,” said Alain Guepratte, press counselor at the French Embassy, here. A spokesman of the Pakistan Embassy Sohail Khan said his country had announced a weeklong mourning for King Fahd. He said that President Musharraf would attend the funeral.
“The UK is also sending a high-ranking delegation to Saudi Arabia”, said Barrie Peach, a spokesman of the British Embassy, without giving details of the composition of the delegation. Among other top dignitaries are Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and German President Horst Koehler. “The Azeri delegation will arrive here Tuesday noon,” said Naghi Jaabbarov, a spokesman of Azerbaijan Embassy.
The eight member delegation headed by Sri Lankan Premier Rajapakse will also include Abdul Hameed Mohamed Fowzie, minister of environment, Alavi Mowlana, governor of Southern province, Cegu Izzadeen, minister assisting small and rural industries, Rauf Hakeem, leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Mohamed Haniffa Mohamed, president of the Islamic Center and Ibrahim Sahib Ansar, head of Overseas Administration and former ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Abdul Hameed Mohammed Azwer, former Sri Lankan state minister for Islamic affairs has arrived separately last night.
Asked about the arrival of German delegation, a spokesman of the German Embassy, said that President Koehler was likely to call on King Abdullah to convey his condolences. He, however, did not say when exactly the president will visit Riyadh. Turkey, on the other hand, will send its Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul to attend the funeral, said Batu Kesmen, a spokesman of the Turkish Embassy. Gul, who is also the foreign minister, will be accompanied by other high-ranking officials.
Australian Ambassador Ian Biggs said that a high-level delegation will also be coming from Canberra.
Ikramul Haque, Bangladesh ambassador, said that the news of the death of King Fahd came as a great shock to his country and its people. “Bangladesh will be represented by President Dr. Iyajuddin Ahmed,” said the ambassador. The president will be arriving here Tuesday morning, he said. Thailand is also sending an official delegation led by Dr. Kantathi Suphanmongkhou, foreign minister, said embassy officials.
Many European states will also be represented at the funeral. “Poland will be represented by a senior official from Warsaw,” said Andrzej Wozniak, deputy chief of the Polish mission in Riyadh. Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Greece will also be represented. Arif Sukoyo, a spokesman of the Indonesian Embassy, said a 14-member Indonesian delegation led by Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla, will attend the funeral. The Indonesian entourage also include A. M. Fapwa, vice chairman of the Indonesian Parliament, Alwi Shihab, minister of social affairs and Mohammed M. Basyumi, minister of religious affairs.
Many other countries including India, Canada, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, South Korea, the Philippines, Austria, China, Belgium, Russia, Denmark, Greece, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and Hungary will send official delegations to the Kingdom to convey condolences. But, the respective embassies could not confirm the level of their respective delegations. A number of diplomats from different countries will also attend the funeral, said the diplomats, who spoke to Arab News here yesterday.
