UN pays tribute to late Saudi King Abdullah

United Nations, Feb 3: The UN General Assembly Monday paid tribute to late Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Xinhua reported.

"King Abdullah was a wise and compassionate leader who guided Saudi Arabia's development, worked to resolve peace and security challenges and address counter-terrorism," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at a session of the assembly.

He called Abdullah "a champion against global hunger" who gave the World Food Program its largest single donation -- $500 million during the 2008 crisis over high food prices and generously supported humanitarian efforts in Syria and Iraq.

Ban also praised the king's role in opposing extremism and seeking reconciliation among people of different faiths and cultures.

Abdullah died Jan 23 at the age of 90 after he was hospitalised in December for pneumonia and was put on ventilation.

IANS