Saudi king Fahd laid to rest

Saudi Arabia's King Fahd was buried at a cemetery in the capital after a number of world leaders paid their last respect to the late monarch on Tuesday.

Before the burial, prayers were held at Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Mosque.

Fahd's body, wrapped in a brown shroud and laid on a bier, was taken out of the mosque and then to his final resting place.

Saudi Arabia's grand mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, has called on the people to pledge allegiance to newly proclaimed King Abdullah and his crown prince, local newspapers reported.

UN chief Kofi Annan mourned the death of King Fahd and paid tribute to his enduring contributions in the field of international and regional diplomacy.

"The Secretary-General notes that for almost quarter of a century, the economic, social and political development of Saudi Arabia has been associated with King Fahd's name," a statement issued by Annan's spokesman said.

In a message of condolences to newly-appointed King Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz, Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday mourned the passing away of King Fahd.

Hu expressed his deep condolences over the death of King Fahd, calling the late monarch a great leader of Saudi Arabia and an old esteemed friend of the Chinese people.

US President George W. Bush called newly-appointed Saudi King Abdullah on Monday to congratulate him on assuming the throne and offered his condolences over the death of King Fahd.

"The president called King Abdullah to extend our condolences on the passing of King Fahd. The president also offered his congratulations to King Abdullah on assuming the throne," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

King Fahd passed away in hospital on Monday and his half-brother Crown Prince Abdullah was named successor.

Fahd, 83, was taken to hospital in May due to acute pneumonia.

Abdullah had been the de facto ruler of the kingdom since Fahd suffered a stroke in 1995.

Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil exporter.

Source: Xinhua