Saudis hail champion of freedom

(MENAFN- Arab News) Residents in the Kingdom reacted with feelings of sympathy and respect on Friday upon hearing the demise of former South African President Nelson Mandela. South African Consul General Ebrahim Edries told Arab News that Mandela's death was an irreparable loss to the nation and for millions who followed his noble qualities. Edries said that his mission would soon hold a condolence meeting. Sondos Al-Jazairy, a marketing and public relations executive at Al-Faisal University, said: "It was a great shock to learn of the death of one of the most outstanding, reputable and beloved personalities of the century." "We hope to see the new generation following his leads and high principles in life, learning from his policies and principles," she said. Sultan Al-Harthi, a Saudi engineer and community leader, said Nelson Mandela was a star who touched everyone irrespective of religion, political affiliation and cultural background. Mohammed Al-Humeidy, a postgraduate student who has just returned from Melbourne, said Mandela's death would create a vacuum in global leadership. "He was a great leader whose ideas and vision were beneficial to people of all walks of life," he said. Bangladesh Consul General Najmul Islam said his country has declared one week of mourning for a great leader who had done so much for the world community. The Bangladesh missions in Riyadh and Jeddah would fly the country's national flag at half mast from Sunday for a period of three days, Islam said.