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Read and listen to some of the comments made on Newstalk, presented by Diana Madill and Peter Dobbie on 7 February 1999

I have been watching the news all over the TV stations and the Internet news - watching , reading, listening to my country news around the house, and it made me so sad and so proud at the same time. Crying over the great loss of a king who lived to be loved as one of the greatest leaders in the world - and proud that he is my KING. I guess he is the best thing ever to happen in our lives as Jordanians. HE MIGHT DIE BUT THE LEGACY LIVES FOR EVER.. OVER OUR SKY.
Ahmed Al Behish, Jordan

HM King Hussein may be dead, but he will always live in our hearts and our conscience. I feel emptiness and sadness I have not felt since my own father died. May god almighty have mercy on his soul.
My King We love you
Marwan Bataineh, Amman, Jordan

Galila Yavin: "King Hussein will always be remembered for his message of peace"

His determination and devotion to truly bring about a different future to the region's inhabitants is unique, and he is a true testimony to the irreversibility of this peace process. Although the road towards peace in our region is hard and full of obstacles, people like the late president Anouar Saadat, the late Yitzhak Rabin and his majesty the king Hussein have offered us something very unique and important: hope.
My only wish is that the next generations of leaders in the Middle East would show the dignity and courage these leaders have, and that their legacy will be peace.
Galila Yavin, Paris, France (Israeli studying abroad)

Satin Al-Omari: "One of the great leaders of all time"

I'm a British born Jordanian. I've lived in Jordan in the north here for the last 10 years and many great men have lived in this region in history going back thousands of years and in our century I think we'll remember Hussein as one of the great leaders. He had a great courage to propose peace and I think our future - it has to be peace for our future - and although we're a very poor and small country we're very proud and we're all behind the young King to lead us into the next century.
Satin Al-Omari

I feel very sad for the death of this great man and king in Jordan, a country which is far from China. I appreciate his great courage and contributionn in the peace process in the middle-east. His death is a great loss for the whole world.
Linda Rao, Linchuan, P.R.of China

My family and I are saddened by the passing of a great statesman. We trust the legacy of King Hussain will be culminated by the rule of his son. This world is a small and desperate place. Peace and goodwill must prevail. We grieve with the Jordanian people.
John Hooper and family, Melbourne, Australia

Luagy Alrimawi: "We must carry his legacy on towards a brighter future"

I think our King will be remembered first and foremost, for being not only a great leader, but for being a great "human being". He has touched the hearts of so many people, not only Jordanians, but many others all around the world, with his love and his support. How can we forget a man who has turned his palace to an orphanage to keep "his children" safe and sound. This shows nothing but the fact that he is not only a man of words, but also a man of deeds.

He is a man who can talk with crowds and keep his virtue, or walk with kings nor lose his common touch. Prince Abdullah is known to be a very strong military man, and following the footsteps of his father, he is well known for his modesty. However, only time will tell how strong he is on the political level. All that we can hope for as Jordanians, is a King who puts his people's interest on top of all other.

As for the implications for the region, it seems very hopeful, since prince Abdullah has not yet made any enemies in the region, and surely, like his father, he is a lover of peace.
Shereen Okkeh, Amman, Jordan

I must say that what His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan has done for increased love and understanding between Arabs Moslems and Jews is truly remarkable. I will never forget how, when we were mourning the death of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, he had the courage to describe him as his brother.
Ameel Yehud, Tel Aviv, Israel

Aurora Aragon: Went to school with royal family

We've lost a friend and someone who will surely be missed in the peace process(es) in the Middle East. May his family be guided by the Almighty.
Guido Hamacher, Aachen, Germany

The popularity of late King Hussain was due to his flexibility and adaptability to the circumstances. His humanitarian support to Iraqi people made him a respected man in the eyes of common Arabs and eventually in the eyes of enemies of Iraq too. That made him Stand Out and Stand Tall among the so called Arab Leaders or Arab stalwarts.

But the Royal family will become weaker and weaker day by day due to internal disputes and intrigues. However, survival of kingship in Jordan is only possible by strengthening of democracy because it outsmarts the intrigues and evils as it is trying to do in Iran.
Mohammed Ahmed, Saudi Arabia

I just want to say, the King Hussein is wonderful and great leader and is greatly loved by all in Jordan. All of us in Jordan are praying for him. He has achieved for Jordan more than anybody could within his 47 years of reign he has placed Jordan on the world map, and he has made Jordan into a stable and strong country with a democratic parliament and government.
As for Crown Prince Abdullah we have all the faith in him, and we support him as we know that he will continue in his father's foots steps in all areas, especially with regards to the peace process and all the different problems facing the middle east.

James Gillespy: "King Hussein was seen as something of a saint within Jordan"

What is for sure, Crown Prince Abdullah is going to find it hard to fill his father's shoes, as nobody can fill King Hussein's place in the hearts and souls of the Jordanian people and the world.
Eman Khaldi, Amman, Jordan

We are greatly saddened to hear this tragic news. King Hussein was truly a great man and leader who did so much for the peace process in this part (Middle East) of the world. It will be very difficult for anyone to emulate him.
Yvonne & Nasir Khan, Al Ain, UAE

Our King Hussien has fulfilled our thoughts and ambitions for a very long time. He gave Jordan and its people more than anybody in this country, this is a country of institutions, very clear and honest too! It's our turn as Jordanians now to carry on what the king has started, we have full confidence in Prince Abdullah as much as we have trust in King Hussein's vision. We all back him 100%, we all , the Jordanians have to work very hard to fulfil our greatest king's wish...and we will, we promise him.
Amjad ALwerr, Amman, Jordan

King Hussein's love and tolerance for his Jewish brethren were not matched by any other Arab leader.

However we must not forget Jordan's appalling human rights record, and we hope that the new King, Abdullah, shows the same love and tolerance towards the thousands of political prisoners held and tortured in Jordanian jails.
Murtad Husayn, London, UK

May his soul rest in peace, Amen. But should son succeed father? Are other Jourdanians servants for eternity? There may be a full democractic revolution soon in Jordan.
Mohammed Salis, USA

I am extremely sad and shocked to hear of the untimely death of a great statesmen who contributed so much towards the cause of peace and stability in the region
Jamali S A, Gaborone, Botswana

He was one Muslim leader who showed the world that peace can be achieved by the tip of a pen and not a sword. We will miss him! May God bless his soul.
Billy Ong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

God bless him. He was a man of courage.
Basim Faraj, Brisbane, Australia

Democracy, the way you know it in the West may not work in any Arab State. The nature and culture of Arabs is the one leader kind of approach. Regardless of the system we worship the person. If we don't and he stays long enough we will have the .. Stockholm Syndrome.
Walid Hikmat, Cairo, Egypt

Is this the first sign of a succession crisis in the Arab World?
Dr. Gawdat Bahgat, Indiana, PA, USA

King Hussein's life is the proof of what can be done by an intellectual with an iron will. He did lead his Nation and Country from an extremely impoverished and depressed region in the world, to some level of prosperity and the highest prominence that can be achieved by any Nation.

Personally, he led by example and would not demand anything from his subjects that he would not endure himself. His place amongst the greatest leaders and intellectuals within the history of the world was not only well earned but highly deserved.
Zoltan E. Szabo, New York, USA

A great man, I remember him for his leadership during the Gulf War.
Cassandra Greenidge, Barbados, West Indies

My personal feeling is that one of the great enemies of Islam is gone. More of them are in the line (Sadam, Mubarak, Fahad, Gaddafi and others). I believe that God is Just and that He punishes and rewards according to our deeds. I wish no one to die the same way that King of Jordan had died.
Demir Stocanin, London, UK

It's so difficult for Prince Abdullah to rule the kingdom without the help of his Uncle Prince Hassan. I also don't think that he can play a role as his father in the peace process, since he's still missing a lot of political experience or practice. I don't think it means much for some Arab countries, but for others it's a crisis, such as Palestine, since he plays a major role in the peace process. The Egyptian president may have the opportunity to lead the region. It's a disaster to lose this leader.
Akram, K.L , Malaysia

King Hussein was a great leader who endeavoured as much as his efforts could allow to turn the ever trouble-ridden middle east to a zone of peace and tranquillity. Let Allah rest His Majesty in peace.
Conrad Dunstan, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

His Majesty King Hussein of Jordan will be in the heart of millions of Arabs and Muslims. He is The King of Arabs. He is honourable modest and human. He did goods and did wrongs as any human being. Muslims remember only the good deeds of the departed. He built Jordan, filled it with universities trying to open a way for the future of the people.

I will remember him during his opening of the Jordan University of Science and technology in Irbid and the important guidance he delivered to the people. It was a great celebration. I shall remember him insisting in congratulating every graduate student from the university. May Allah Bless his soul and Keep Him in His Paradise.
Mohammad Takrouri, Saudia Riyadh

The world is a sadder place with the death of the King. We hope peace will be his legacy.
Nael Al-Shimmari, Kuwait

May God bless his soul and give strength to Jordan and its new king.
Sanjay Jha, Vacoas, Mauritius

King Hussein will always be remembered by myself and many other Israelis as a courageous, strong and sensitive man, who fought side by side with our late P.M. and tried to offer us a better future. I will never forget King Hussein 's ability to communicate a true message of peace to the Israeli people on numerous occasions, in words, and especially in his noble deeds, such as his visit to mourning families of the young girls killed by a Jordanian soldier.

A great peace lover, leader left this the world in the very moment of need. Now, all the Middle East left in uncertainty. A deep sense of sorrow engulfed all Arab ex-patriate here in NZ.
Mohammed Ali, Auckland, New Zealand

There was always one thing I loved about him - the genuinely kind look in his eyes. Very few leaders have that. His death will certainly rock the region politically but I am hoping that Western powers don't stick their heads in too much and influence Prince Abdullah to do their bidding. Thanks so much...and I want to join King Hussein's family in their time of sorrow. May you grow stronger from this man's presence and effect on your lives
Natasha Nunez, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

King Hussein, one of the greatest men in Jordanian and Arab history. More than that, he's a man of ethics and greatness. King Hussein kneeled down trying to console an Israeli woman whose little girl got killed by a Jordanian soldier. What more to say. He won't be only missed in the Arab world.
My deepest sympathy to Her Royal Majesty: Queen Noor and I'm sure that Crowned prince Abdullah is going to be as great as his father.
Farouk Mogheth, Prague, Czech Republic

With grateful thanks to a wonderful Man who made the World a better place. May he rest in peace.
Alan Cornwell, England

After the humiliation by the Israelis in the 67 war he was able to come back and make peace swallowing the loss of his territory. I must call this guy the man of the millennium. He gets my vote as the BBC man of the millennium.
Akonyu Akolo, Vancouver, Canada

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet His Majesty on many occasions while I was an army officer in the Jordanian army (I have immigrated to the USA several years ago). What is left for me now is the pictures that I had of him and with him, and my tears. It is truly one of the very sad days of my life. I never thought that I would cry for the death of a politician, but King Hussein was not just a politician. He has become the statesman and the father of Jordan. I certainly hope and pray that the stability of the country will continue. However, there are many sources that could turn this stability upside down
Hassam Hussein, Michegan, USA

In the early 50s I was with the British army's 'O' Force in Aqaba Jordan, the king was young and untested, he had at his side Glubb Pasha a British general. Hussain had to do the political thing and fire general Glubb. It was a gamble he had to take, it nearly cost him his life at the hands officers he should not have trusted. He faced the coup by jumping on a vehicle testing the will of soldiers to kill him. End of coup. Maybe the young crown prince is a chip off the old block, leading his trade on the job, learning fast, and learning good.
Hugh Jones, Canada

A great man, a great loss!
James Richardson, Chailly en Brie, France

He was one of the most realistic leaders of the Middle East, a good friend of Arabs and people of the region at same time. He did not want to isolate the Muslim world, he may have had some miscalculations in the political arena, but he meant the best for Arabs as well as for Jews and the Jewish state, which many Arab and Muslim leaders neglected for a long time. He will be remembered as a man of peace and the realities of the Middle East, his son the new king is an unexamined man in political field and may need his uncle, family and Jordanian people help in order to over come the huge problems Jordan and the region faces.
Ali Arjemandi, Oslo, Norway

As a human being I sorry that King Hussein is dying. However as a leader of a country I do not see any achievements in more than 40 years of ruling. Jordan is still one of the poorest country in the region. Like many other kings he only tried to save his position as the king. I am not familiar with the Jordanian constitution, however his marriages with western women is really questionable in many terms. Politically he always followed the commands from whoever who recognised as a stronger power than his government, including all western power and Israel and even Saddam. I do not see any drastic change in Jordan in the near future because the recent change i.e. announcing prince Abdullah as the crown prince, must be one of the latest decisions of the king based on the suggestions of outsiders who probably support Abdullah as long as he follows the path of his father.
H. Shakeri, Toronto, Canada

Such sad news for his family, for Jordan and for the world. There are too few Peace-makers.
Patricia Smith, Hampshire, UK

The disappearance of King Hussein from the political arena in the Middle East will undoubtedly have a negative impact for the foreseeable future. Not only did he moderate but he helped push the peace process ahead. He gained the status of a positive diplomat. All the parties involved whether Israel or the Palestinians respected him. Most importantly the internal constituency in Jordan rallied around him. Hopefully his son will be as bright as a diplomat and tactician.
Namais Amani, Montreal, Canada

Send in your comment

who respected King Hussein for all the reasons stated by your correspondents - BBC Correspondents - but one aspect should not be overlooked namely he rode Harley Davidson motorcycles and piloted his own helicopter - how many Monarchs do that?
Kiyoshi Yanagida, Tokyo, Japan

King Hussein was one of the few heads of state whom one could call "cool". I remember living in Israel as a 15 year old and wanting to, one day, be like the King, I think he gave all Jordanians a sense of pride just by being itself. He'd arrived for a bi-laterial summit in his chopper - his helicopter - wearing aviation sunglasses and obviously enjoying it.

I completely agree because I grew up in Lebanon and everybody there has a great admiration for King Hussein. I don't speak on the political ground but as a young man he was, you know, the James Bond. He liked speed, he liked cars, planes, helicopters and he even endangered his life doing the things he liked.
Clare Oxlyn, Montreal in Canada:

Firstly I want to pass my condolences to the Royal Family and to wish King Abdullah well. I feel it's a pity that the late King didn't live to see peace in the Middle East - I mean total peace. In my opinion I think that Jordan shot to prominence in Africa as a result - mainly of the King - I mean all we know about Jordan is the King and his involvement in the peace efforts together with President Bill Clinton in trying to get some sort of peace in the Middle East.
Lazarus Mucherje, Johannesburg, South Africa

King Hussein was a great help to Iraq and Iraqi people throughout his reign. He was a great man and a wise leader. I believe King Abdullah will have the same characteristics.
Hind Abdul Hadi, Iraqi living in Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia

I admired the confidence that he took by having a peace signed with the Israelis because of the 1967 humiliation. You would not think somebody who had lost part of his territory to be going into peace, and as an African living abroad I think that example could be used by some of the African states.
Akonyu Akolo,Vancouver in Canada

I have known his Majesty, fairly closely, when I was a military officer back in Jordan. By that I mean he visited us quite regularly and I had the chance to sit and listen and I must say I have not seen a man, in my life, who would have such an influence on you. An extremely dignified man. And he's also a man of his word. He's a man that any officer or any military person or any person in Jordan, in general, who's seeking any assistance or help, if he got the King's okay he will help and you knew that it was a word you could trust. I believe many people have mentioned that he transformed Jordan from very much a very basic moral country when he rose to power to what it is right now. A statement was mentioned about the resources in Jordan, it's true Jordan does not have many natural resources there and it's dependent on help either from the Gulf area or from the Western world or whoever is sending some help but the biggest resource in Jordan is its people. The people of Jordan - we have doctors, engineers, highly educated people.
Bassam Hussein, Michigan, USA

For the most part I want to say he will be missed by most Israelis, I think most people of the Middle East. He will be remembered as the man who had great foresight though he went through stages. In 1967, of course, as was mentioned he paid a very dear price for having gone to war against Israel. In 1973, however, he was wise enough - he had the foresight - not to go to war while Syria and Egypt did but then again in 1991, as was mentioned, he was supportive of Saddam. So his legacy, I think, will be mixed but all in all we here in Israel - the majority of the people - hope that his son, we wish him the best of luck and we hope that he will follow in his father's footsteps of peace and not war.
Stuart Katsoff , Israeli

I am not a great fan of Monarchies but King Hussein was perhaps the best and most educated leader the Arab world has had - he will be missed.
Aaron Dean from Cologne in Germany

He seemed to exude such warmth - a generous person with profound integrity. Our respect and our fondness will remain.
Nick Silk from Bermuda

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