Queen Elizabeth II: Middle Eastern leaders mourn death of the monarch

Middle Eastern leaders and royals have sent condolences to the United Kingdom's royal family over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who had many connections in the region. 

United Arab Emirates

President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan called the queen a "close friend of the UAE and a beloved and respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion and a tireless commitment to serving her country".

Qatar

Sheikh Tamim al-Thani, the leader of Qatar, said: "Our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the British people over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which with her loss the world has lost a great human symbol."

Oman

In 1979, the queen visited Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman during a trip to the Gulf.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik called the queen "a close friend of Oman [who] contributed to strengthening the close bilateral relations between Oman and the UK".

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday sent his condolences to the royal family, saying the queen "left behind an unparallelled legacy of leadership and service".

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent condolences to King Charles III early on Friday, according to two statements on state news agency SPA.

Queen Elizabeth II: A quiet force for national stability

Lire

"Her majesty was a role model for leadership that will be immortalised in history," the king said.

The crown prince, the kingdom's de facto ruler, said the world will remember the great impact and the great deeds she did throughout her career. 

The queen hosted many Middle Eastern leaders during her reign. On one visit in 2003, the queen drove the then Saudi King Abdullah, King Salman's half brother, around Balmoral.

The king, according to a former UK ambassador to Saudi Arabia, asked the queen to "slow down and concentrate on the road". 

Jordan

Jordan's King Abdullah II said: "Jordan mourns the passing of an iconic leader. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a beacon of wisdom and principled leadership for seven decades."

He called the queen "a partner for Jordan and a dear family friend", adding, "we stand with the people and leadership of the UK at this difficult time".

Abdullah's mother was British, and the king was educated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK. He declared a seven-day period of mourning across Jordan.

Egypt

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi tweeted: "I offer my sincere condolences, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Egypt, to the Royal Family, the British Government and the people of the United Kingdom, on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who led her country for decades with great wisdom."

Palestinian Authority

In a cable of condolence to King Charles III, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said: "We have received with great sorrow the news about the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. 

"Her life was dedicated to the service of her country and people. For decades, she meticulously carried out her royal duties, leaving behind a rich legacy that will be engraved in the hearts and minds of coming generations."

Abbas also prayed for "Her Majesty be granted eternal peace and serenity. And in this hour of national grief, we pray to God that Your Majesty and the people of the United Kingdom will find solace in dignified mourning".

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday he was saddened to learn of the queen's death and sent his deepest condolences to the royal family and the people and government of the United Kingdom.