Heads of diplomatic missions in Riyadh and Jeddah and around the world paid rich homage and deeply mourned the sad demise of King Abdullah, who passed away at around 1 a.m. on Friday, following an illness.

Diplomats from across the globe sent their condolences and described King Abdullah’s death as the loss of a great visionary leader who made reforms in order to take the Kingdom to new heights.

Joseph Westphal, US ambassador, said: “It is with great sorrow that we learned of the passing of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. He was a great leader, a man of strength and vision for his people and a steadfast friend of the American people. He will be greatly missed by his people and by America.”

Manzoor ul Haq, Pakistan ambassador, said: “King Abdullah was the architect of manifold development in the Kingdom and shared excellent ties with Pakistan.” He added that Pakistan would always cherish the support extended by the king.

Recalling the humanitarian and reformative approaches and visionary leadership of King Abdullah, Indian Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao said: “During his rule, bilateral relations between India and Saudi Arabia gained momentum and laid the foundation for strategic partnership as reflected in the ‘Delhi Declarations’ and ‘Riyadh Declarations’. King Abdullah was India’s great friend and in his demise, the world has lost a wise and visionary leader, Rao added.

Li Chengwen, Chinese ambassador, mourned the death of King Abdullah saying he was a great visionary leader who oversaw the transformation of the Kingdom at many levels.

Ezzedin Tago, Philippine ambassador, said: “The Filipino community in the Kingdom offers their sincerest condolences to his majesty King Salman, the royal family and the Saudi people on the death of King Abdullah, who we consider the humanitarian king.”

Sri Lankan Ambassador Mohamed Hussein Mohammed said: “The news has come as a shock to the entire Sri Lankan community living in the Kingdom and in Sri Lanka. It is indeed an irreparable loss. King Abdullah was loved by everyone, irrespective of nationality, as he was the king of humanity. We sincerely pray that he attains a high place in Jannah for all his benevolent works.”

Shahidul Islam, Bangladesh ambassador, said: “We will miss the great visionary leader and his humanitarian gesture toward the people of Bangladesh and we pray that he attains a high place in Jannah for all the great work he did.”

Irish Ambassador Tony Cotter said: “I wish to offer my deep condolences on this sorrowful occasion to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. It’s with great sadness that I have learned about the passing of King Abdullah, who was a great statesman and his place in history is well ­assured.”

Martin Valentino, Maltese ambassador, said: “I convey on behalf of the president, prime minister, government and the people of Malta our sincere condolences to the royal family, the government and the people of Saudi Arabia on the sad demise of King Abdullah. May God grant him peace.”

Sierra Leone Ambassador Alhaj Mohammed Sillah Kargbo condoled King Abdullah’s demise on behalf of his government and people of Sierra Leone headed by President Ernest Bai Koroma, saying: “I extend our sincerest sympathy to the Saudi royal family headed by King Salman for the irreparable loss not only to the Saudi people but to the Muslim Ummah as a whole on the demise of the King of humanity.”

The message from Nepalese ambassador Udaya Raj Pandey said: “The passing of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is a great loss indeed, to use an understatement. His kindness, philanthropy and compassion are legendary. On behalf of my government, I express our deep sorrow to the royal family headed by King Salman and to the Saudi people.”