In quotes: Reaction to Fahd's death

There has been reaction from around the world following the announcement of the death of Saudi Arabia's ruler, King Fahd. Here is a selection of quotes.

KING ABDULLAH OF JORDAN

Jordan will stand beside Saudi Arabia and its people on this painful occasion. May God grant his mercy and patience to the Saudi people. May God rest his soul.

HOSNI MUBARAK, EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT

Saudi Arabia has lost one of its dutiful sons, a leader among the most dear of its leaders and men.

GEORGE W BUSH, US PRESIDENT

King Fahd was a man of wisdom and a leader who commanded respect throughout the entire world. He was a friend and strong ally of the United States for decades.

MAHMOUD ABBAS, PALESTINIAN LEADER

We feel sorrow and pain over the death of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd. We have known this man for a long time... he showed support and commitment to the Palestinian revolution and to Fatah since the 1960s.

SHEIKH SABAH AL-AHMAD AL-SABAH, KUWAITI PRIME MINISTER

King Fahd... devoted himself to the service of his religion, homeland, people and his Arab and Muslim nation.

BASHAR AL-ASSAD, SYRIAN PRESIDENT

He spent his life defending the interests of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the causes of the Arab nation. He was keen on fortifying relations between our two countries.

SHEIKH HAMAD BIN KHALIFA AL-THANI , EMIR OF QATAR

Today we lost one of the most prominent leaders and a good man who dedicated his life and efforts to serve his country and nation.

SAAD HARIRI, LEBANESE POLITICAL LEADER

The Arab and Islamic nation has lost a great man and one of its fearless men who dedicated his life to the service of the people of this nation and their aspirations.

ABU BAKR AL-KURBI, YEMENI FOREIGN MINISTER

It is a great loss for Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Muslim nation. King Fahd's death will have repercussions on Arab and Muslim action.

PRINCE TURKI AL-FAISAL, SAUDI AMBASSADOR TO UK

[Fahd was responsible for] the establishment of human rights, stress on the fact that women should play an equal role in the development of Saudi Arabia as men, and also stressing of the fact that the practice of Islam in Saudi Arabia is a practice of the middle road, as the prophet Mohammed defined it.

JACQUES CHIRAC, FRENCH PRESIDENT

King Fahd was also committed to the strong and trusting relations between France and Saudi Arabia. This old friendship, which began with an exceptional link established by General De Gaulle, took on a new dimension under his reign, helped by a shared vision of what was at stake regionally and internationally.

TONY BLAIR, UK PRIME MINISTER

King Fahd was a man of great vision and leadership who inspired his countrymen for a quarter of a century as king. He led Saudi Arabia through a period of unparalleled progress and development.

VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT

Russia will always remember the contribution [of King Fahd] in the development of Russian-Saudi relations, which in recent years were raised to a qualitatively higher level.

GERHARD SCHROEDER, GERMAN CHANCELLOR

He supported a dialogue of the Islamic world with the West with wisdom, far-sightedness and great personal engagement.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, RESIDENCE OF BRITISH QUEEN ELIZABETH II

The Queen was saddened to hear of the death of King Fahd, who led Saudi Arabia with wisdom and skill for 22 years. During his reign Britain and Saudi Arabia enjoyed a very close relationship. The Queen extends her best wishes to King Abdullah and looks forward to strengthening the bonds that link our two countries.

THABO MBEKI, SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT

The King had been a good friend of the government and the people of South Africa and we all mourn his passing with our brothers and sisters in Saudi Arabia.

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, PAKISTANI PRESIDENT

In his death, Pakistan and indeed, the entire Muslim world has lost a statesman of high calibre.

HAMID KARZAI, AFGHAN PRESIDENT

The people of Afghanistan will continue to remember his lasting friendship with the people of Afghanistan as well as his unstinting support during the years of jihad against the Soviets.

KHALEDA ZIA, BANGLADESHI PRIME MINISTER

The late King's great service for the Muslim world and his noble deeds of charity and assistance for the poor of humanity will be long remembered with reverence.

THAKSIN SHINAWATRA, THAI PRIME MINISTER

His majesty's outstanding contribution to the development of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, his devotion to peace and understanding among nations, as well as his great services to the Islamic world, will always be remembered and cherished by all of us with admiration and respect.

JUNICHIRO KOIZUMI, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER

It is a major loss not only for Saudi Arabia but also for other countries, including Japan, that maintain friendly ties with it.