Susilo sends condolences to Saudi people

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono conveyed his condolences to the Saudi people on Monday for the death of King Fahd, a presidential spokesman said.

"The President conveys his condolences for the passing of King Fahd. He will send senior Cabinet ministers led by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab to attend Fahd's funeral in Riyadh," presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

King Fahd, who was The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, died on Monday at around 6 a.m. local time (10 a.m. in Jakarta) in a hospital in Riyadh.

Fahd, believed to be 84, had been in hospital since May 27, when he was admitted with acute pneumonia.

Crown Prince Abdullah was swiftly pronounced monarch of the world's largest oil exporter and key U.S. ally on Monday in an apparently smooth succession.

Meanwhile, the Royal Saudi Embassy in Jakarta said that King Fahd's funeral would take place on Tuesday to give time for foreign dignitaries to arrive.

"The funeral will take place tomorrow (Tuesday) in Riyadh after the prayers at around 3:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. in Jakarta)," Saudi Embassy Charge d'Affaires Abdullah M. Al Ghamdi told the Post on Monday.

Al Ghamdi said a condolences book would be open on Wednesday at the Saudi Embassy.