“The Arab world, in fact, has lost a visionary leader, a towering Arab personality, a great philanthropist and above all an amazing human being,” said Hamza Khoshain, member of the Shoura Council.
Similar saddened views were expressed by an elite group of Shoura members, foreign diplomats and businessmen.
Khoshain said: “Crown Prince Sultan, who built a credible defense system for Saudi Arabia, will be known for his generosity and his achievements, which are unparalleled in the history of the Kingdom. With the demise of this great leader, an era has come to an end.”
He said that his death would undoubtedly be felt strongly as the crown prince had also been “instrumental in establishing the national airline from scratch and has pioneered a world-class aviation system in this country.”
A formal condolence, he said, would be issued by the Shoura Council when it meets Sunday in Riyadh. The Shoura member said Prince Sultan would be known for his benevolence and philanthropy by everyone.
“But, as defense minister of this country, Crown Prince Sultan presided over the development of the armed forces, building its capability and modernizing the whole defense sector,” said Khoshain.
“Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Prince Sultan have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor,” said Khalil Alkhalil, another Shoura member. “Prince Sultan leaves behind a legacy that can't be forgotten by the future generations of this country and the Arab world at large.”
He said that the late crown prince, who died Saturday morning in the US, was one of the great philanthropists in the history of the Arab world.
“I am shocked and saddened to hear that a man who has contributed so much to the development of the country is no longer with us,” said Abdulrahman Al-Jeraisy, chief of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We are deeply saddened to hear about the death of Prince Sultan, who led his country with vision, wisdom and skill,” said Al-Jeraisy.
In a press statement sent by the Pakistan Embassy, Ambassador Mohammed Naeem Khan expressed their heartfelt grief over the death of Prince Sultan.
Ambassador Khan said: “Pakistan and its leaders convey to the people of Saudi Arabia and the members of the bereaved family their profound condolences. The passing of Crown Prince Sultan is a great loss to the people of Saudi Arabia and the entire Muslim Ummah.”
He said Prince Sultan was greatly admired in Pakistan as a true friend who always cared for the country’s people. He pointed out that the Pakistani flags in the Riyadh-based embassy and at its Jeddah consulate remained at half mast. Pakistan Embassy has also postponed the inauguration of Arabic calligraphic exhibition that was to be inaugurated by Prince Sultan bin Salman in Riyadh on Saturday.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Ambassador Luigi Narbone, head of the Riyadh-based EU Delegation, said the EU as a bloc offers its condolence to the government and the people of Saudi Arabia. Spanish Ambassador Pablo Bravo said: “I would like to join the feelings contained in the message of condolences sent by King Juan Carlos I to King Abdullah, expressing our deep sorrow caused by the death of Crown Prince Sultan. We would also like to remind the close ties and the friendship of Prince Sultan and my country.”
The German Embassy in a statement to Arab News conveyed its “deepest condolences on the passing away of Prince Sultan to King Abdullah and the people of Saudi Arabia.”
In the international arena too, Prince Sultan will be remembered as a reliable partner striving for stability and progress in the region and beyond, said the statement. Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, Swedish ambassador, said: “We are deeply saddened by the demise of Crown Prince Sultan and the government of Sweden presents its deepest condolences on this very sad occasion.”
“I convey the deepest condolences on the death of Crown Prince Sultan,” said Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov.
