SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATH OF SAUDI KING FAHD

SECRETARY-GENERAL SADDENED BY DEATH OF SAUDI KING FAHD

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General learned with sadness of the death of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahd Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.  The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the family of the late King, as well as to the Government and people of the Kingdom.

The Secretary-General notes that for almost quarter of a century, the economic, social and political development of Saudi Arabia has been associated with King Fahd’s name.  Under King Fahd’s leadership, the country witnessed remarkable progress in areas ranging from industrial development to education.  While recognizing the demands of the modern world, King Fahd was also firmly guided, in the tradition of his predecessors, by the principles and traditions of Islam.

The Secretary-General pays tribute to King Fahd’s enduring contributions in the field of international and regional diplomacy, where he worked tirelessly to achieve peaceful solutions based on justice.  The King was a true friend of the United Nations since its inception, having attended the inauguration of the Organization as a member of the Saudi delegation in 1945.  King Fahd will be remembered not only with deep affection and loyalty among the people of the Kingdom, but with profound respect in the Islamic, Arab and world communities.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record