SAUDI-SUCCESSION/DAVOS-BAN UN's Ban pays tribute to Saudi king

Record ID: 565759

  • Title: SAUDI-SUCCESSION/DAVOS-BAN UN's Ban pays tribute to Saudi king
  • Date: 23rd January 2015
  • Summary: DAVOS, SWITZERLAND (JANUARY 23, 2015) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON ARRIVING AT PANEL DISCUSSION ON FEMINISM, SHAKING HANDS WITH STEFAN LOEFVEN, PRIME MINISTER OF SWEDEN AUDIENCE LISTENING TO NEWS CONFERENCE NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE)(English) U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL, BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "I would also like to pay tribute to King Abdullah's efforts to address regional and international challenges at a time of turmoil and rapid change to promote dialogue among the world's faith. As a driving force behind the Arab Peace Initiative, King Abdullah left a tangible legacy that can still point the way towards the peace in the Middle East. I am also grateful for King Abdullah's generous humanitarian and development support for people across the Arab region and wider world. King Abdullah's leadership will be remembered throughout the Arab and Islamic world and international community. On behalf of the United Nations, I would like to extend my condolences to the bereaved family of King Abdullah and the government and the people of Saudi Arabia." AUDIENCE APPLAUDING AS BAN FINISHES HIS SPEECH BAN WALKING IN CORRIDOR
  • Embargoed: 7th February 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Switzerland
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA6DTULIT5CETBP91KPBPKCBRK1
  • Story Text: The U.N. Secretary-General paid tribute to Saudi King Abdullah on Friday (January 23), praising him for his role in trying to bring about peace in the Middle East.
    Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ban Ki-moon said Abdullah's 2002 peace initiative had been an important contribution to the peace process.
    "As a driving force behind the Arab Peace Initiative, King Abdullah left a tangible legacy that can still point the way towards the peace in the Middle East. I am also grateful for King Abdullah's generous humanitarian and development support for people across the Arab region and wider world. King Abdullah's leadership will be remembered throughout the Arab and Islamic world and international community. On behalf of the United Nations, I would like to extend my condolences to the bereaved family of King Abdullah and the government and the people of Saudi Arabia," said Ban.
    The Arab peace initiative was floated by Saudi Arabia in 2002 and offers full recognition of the Jewish state, but only if it gives up all land seized in the 1967 Middle East war and agrees to a "just solution" for Palestinian refugees.
    King Abdullah died early on Friday and his brother Salmon became king.
    Abdullah will be buried in an unmarked grave later on Friday, hours after the Saudi government moved to ensure a smooth transition by appointing a new king and crown prince to quell fears of dynastic instability at a time of regional turmoil.
    King Salmon now takes over as the ultimate authority in a country that faces unprecedented tumult in the region and difficult long-term domestic challenges compounded by the plunging price of oil.
    Oil prices jumped on Friday as news of Abdullah's death added to uncertainty in energy markets already facing some of the biggest shifts in decades.
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