Obama, Sisi pay tribute, offer condolences on death of Saudi King Abdullah

Washington, Jan 23: Condoling the death of Saudi King Abdullah, US President Barack Obama on Friday hailed him as a "candid" leader who took bold steps in advancing the Arab Peace initiative.

"King Abdullah's life spanned from before the birth of modern Saudi Arabia through its emergence as a critical force within the global economy and a leader among Arab and Islamic nations," Obama said. [Saudi King Abdullah dies, new ruler is Salman]

"He took bold steps in advancing the Arab Peace Initiative, an endeavor that will outlive him as an enduring contribution to the search for peace in the region," he said.

The US President said King Abdullah's vision was dedicated to the education of his people and to greater engagement with the world.

Obama said the US and Saudi Arabia had worked together on many challenges and he valued King Abdullah's perspective and appreciated their "genuine and warm friendship".

"As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions. One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the US-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond," he said.

"The closeness and strength of the partnership between our two countries is part of King Abdullah's legacy," Obama added.

Extending his deepest condolences to the people of Saudi Arabia, Republican Senator John McCain hailed King Abdullah as a clear-eyed leader and an important voice for reform in Saudi Arabia.

"He pushed for the modernization of the education system, curbed the authority of the religious police and extended women the right to vote and run in municipal elections.

"He was also a vocal advocate for peace, speaking out against violence in the Middle East and standing as a critical partner in the war on terror. King Abdullah's enduring legacy will continue to shape the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region for years to come," McCain said.

"Our sympathies go to the family of King Abdullah and to the people of Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah was a strong ally of the US and clear-eyed about many of the challenges the Saudi kingdom faces at home and abroad," said Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Egyptian President Sisi offers condolences on death of Saudi King Abdullah

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed condolences over the death of King Abdullah, hailing him as a wise and prominent leader who made huge contributions to his nation.

"Egyptian people won't forget the historical contributions of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud towards Egypt. These contributions expressed his wiseness and deep faith in Arab solidarity," Sisi said in a statement issued early today.

Sisi has decided to cut short his visit to Davos in Switzerland to attend the royal funeral which is expected to take place today, an official source said.

He had been in Switzerland since Wednesday to participate in the World Economic Forum. King Abdullah was a key financial supporter of Sisi's Egypt and an ally against Islamic extremism.

Abdullah was the first head of state to visit Cairo after Sisi's election win last May. The Egyptian leader in August last year reciprocated with a trip to the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah for talks with Abdullah.

PTI