President Obama and his predecessors are sending condolences to Saudi Arabia over the death of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.
"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 in his statement.
The White House announced that Vice President Biden will soon be leading a U.S. delegation to Saudi Arabia to pay the nation's respects."As our countries worked together to confront many challenges, I always valued King Abdullah's perspective and appreciated our genuine and warm friendship," Obama said in his statements. "As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions."
NEWS: Saudi King Abdullah dead at 90
Obama added: "One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond. The closeness and strength of the partnership between our two countries is part of King Abdullah's legacy."
Previous presidents also sent out statements.
George W. Bush: "I have very fond memories of my visits to the Kingdom of SaudiArabia, and of the King's visit to our ranch in Crawford. He was an important and able ally and a force for modernization in his country. King Abdullah served his nation honorably with strength and vision."
Bill Clinton (in a statement with ex-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton): "We are grateful for his support of efforts for peace in the Middle East; our close economic cooperation; the Kingdom's humanitarian efforts around the world; especially its contributions after the earthquake in Haiti; and his efforts to modernize Saudi Arabia's economy and education systems -- as embodied by King Abdullah University, the Kingdom's first coeducational institution of higher education."
George H.W. Bush: "As President, I found His Majesty always to be a wise and reliable ally, helping our nations build on a strategic relationship and enduring friendship dating back to World War II. Of course, following the invasion of Kuwait, I will never forget the way Saudi Arabia and the United States stood together against a common foe -- marking a moment of unparalleled cooperation between two great nations."
No comments:
Post a Comment