RIYADH, 8 August 2005 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan yesterday received more foreign delegations who came to express their condolences on King Fahd’s death and voice their support for the new leadership.
King Abdullah received a delegation of Lebanese businessmen as well as a group of Saudi Islamic scholars and ordinary citizens who came to convey their condolences, the Saudi Press Agency said.
King Abdullah and Prince Sultan also received messages of condolences from several world leaders including Japanese Emperor Akihito, Bhutan’s King Jigme Singhe Wangchuk, Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva and Greek President Carolos Papoulias.
The new king and crown prince also received messages of condolence from a large number of citizens in different parts of the country.
King Fahd died last Monday following a prolonged illness. King Abdullah was quickly declared the new sovereign in a smooth transition of power as the royal family endorsed his leadership.
Millions of Saudis have so far pledged allegiance to the new king and crown prince in an unprecedented show of support. Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh and Imam of the Grand Mosque Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais have urged Saudis as well as all Muslims to rally behind the new leadership.
Sheikh Saad ibn Nasser Al-Shathry, a member of the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars, who visited Sierra Leone recently, told the king that Muslims in the west African country were shocked on hearing the news of King Fahd’s death. He said they were happy with King Abdullah’s address to the nation, reaffirming his determination to establish justice and implement Shariah.
Meanwhile, American officials said the visit to Riyadh by a high-level US delegation led by Vice President Dick Cheney reflected the strong relations between the two countries. The delegation included former President George Bush and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
