Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has conveyed his deepest condolences and sympathy to King Abdullah Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on the demise of Crown Prince Nayef Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak conveying his sympathy to Crown Prince Salman Abdul Aziz (left), who is also Saudi defence minister, in Jeddah, yesterday after paying his last respects to Prince Nayef Abdul Aziz Al Saud.Bernama pic
Prince Nayef, 77, who was also Saudi Arabia's deputy prime minister and interior minister, died in a hospital in Geneva on Saturday, Bernama reported.
In his condolence message, dated June 16 to King Abdullah, Najib said the demise of the crown prince was a great loss not only for the people of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia but also to the region, including Malaysia and the Muslim ummah.
"It is with deep sorrow and grief that I learnt of the passing away of one of the most respected and dynamic leaders of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Nayef.
"Prince Nayef will be remembered as a great leader who devoted his life to serve his people and his country and earned the love and respect of his fellow countrymen and the Islamic ummah for the prosperity and development of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia."
Najib said Malaysia would continue to build on Prince Nayef's dedication and contributions in strengthening relations between the two brotherly countries.
"At this hour of national grief and sorrow, on behalf of the government and the people of Malaysia, I would like to convey my deepest condolences and sympathy to your majesty and the people of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with your majesty and the rest of the family members as well as to the people of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
"We pray to Allah almighty to grant his soul eternal peace, forgiveness and place him in Al-Jannah (heaven)."
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman signed the condolence book at the Saudi Arabian embassy at Jalan Ampang, here.
Anifah was greeted on arrival by Saudi Arabia's ambassador Fahad Al Rashid, who had been transferred here only four months ago.
A spokesman of the ministry said Anifah spent about 10 minutes at the embassy to convey his condolences to Fahad on the demise of Prince Nayef.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Defence Minister Prince Salman Abdul Aziz had been appointed as the new crown prince.
Prince Salman becomes the third crown prince after the death of his two older brothers.
