Lebanon in Mourning as Officials Pay Tribute to Abdullah, the 'Great Friend'

Lebanese leaders on Friday hailed late Saudi King Abdullah as an “Arab knight” and a “great friend” who supported Lebanon during tough times as the country observed a three-day mourning period.

“Lebanon lost a helper and supporter,” Prime Minister Tammam Salam said.

Salam hailed the monarch for standing by Lebanon at times of crises and for “never hesitating to extend a hand of support.”

He described Abdullah as the “wise man of Arabs, a big friend for Lebanon and … a great leader,” saying the monarch made initiatives to achieve Lebanese national unity.

The king backed “peace and stability in the country and called for strengthening the state and its institutions,” Salam added in his statement.

The premiership later announced an official three-day mourning period starting Friday.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan announced a three-day mourning at Dar al-Fatwa institutions and called for a prayer for the absent at all mosques on Friday.

“The world lost a man known for his wisdom,” he said. “He contributed to assisting Arab and Islamic states to achieve security, peace and stability and worked on their unity.”

Lebanon's Muslims “lost the pioneer of moderation,” Daryan added.

The deputy head of the Higher Shiite Islamic Council, Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan, said: “Lebanon lost a supporter and a backbone to preserve Lebanon and its people.”

“We don't forget his generous grants to the Lebanese army and security forces,” he added.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed that the late king “exerted all efforts to support Arab causes and was a backbone to the whole nation, in particular Syria.”

“The king stood by the Lebanese people in all the critical stages.”

Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat said in a short tweet: “The great Arab knight, Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, passed away.”

The 90-year-old king's death was announced Thursday by Saudi authorities.

His successor was announced as 79-year-old half-brother, Prince Salman.

Salman had been defense minister and previously governor of the capital Riyadh.

Another of the late monarch's half-brothers, Moqren, was named the new crown prince.

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