UN mourns King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Late Saudi King Abdullah guided his country's development and advanced regional peace and security, as well as counter-terrorism and contributing generously to humanitarian relief and anti-hunger programmes, said UN Secretary General's spokesman.

At the daily briefing, Stephane Dujarric said that UN Chief Ban Ki-moon had signed a condolence book for the passing of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he noted that the King's devotion to promoting inter-faith dialogue.

Over the weekend, he said, the Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson travelled to Saudi Arabia, where he represented Ban at a condolence ceremony to pay the UN's respect following the King's passing.

While in Riyadh, Eliasson met with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, and the Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Nayef.

The UN official praised King Abdullah's major contributions to the progress and prosperity of the Kingdom, as well as his efforts to address regional and international challenges at a time of turmoil and rapid change.

Eliasson is back in New York, Dujarric said, and today, the UN flag is flying at half-mast to observe the passing of King Abdullah.