World leaders on Monday offered their condolences over the death of Saudi Arabian King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz.

UN Secretary-General 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 the newly-appointed King Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Aziz, Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday mourned the passing of Saudi 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.

French President Jacques Chirac expressed on Monday France's "deep emotion" and "profound sadness" over the death of King Fahd and hailed his role in promoting relations between Saudi Arabia and France.

"During his reign, King Fahd put the safety of his people above all else. In perilous times, he was the guarantor of his country's cohesion and the defender of regional stability. He knew how to apply wisdom to the Kingdom's changes," Chirac said in a statement.

Outgoing Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, in a message to King Abdullah, offered his condolences to the new leader, his government and the nation on the demise of late King Fahd.

Khatami expressed his deep regret and sorrow over the king's death, hailing his efforts in the maintenance and consolidation of bilateral "fraternal ties" as well as unity among Muslim nations.

The Kuwaiti government on Monday mourned the death of King Fahd and welcomed the naming of Crown Prince Abdullah as the new king.

Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet and Parliament Affairs Mohammad Daifallah Sharar said in a statement that the Arab and Islamic nation had lost a "distinguished icon and a great leader."

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas mourned the death of King Fahd on Monday and decided to head for Saudi Arabia to offer his condolences to the royal family.

The Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian people expressed their deep grief and sadness over the death of King Fahd who had always stood on the Palestinians' side, Abbas' office said.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority announced a three-day mourning in memory of King Fahd.

Other countries, including Syria, the Philippines and Pakistan, also mourned the king's death and praised his role in helping resolve the Arab-Israeli conflicts.

King Fahd, 82, died early Monday at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in the Saudi capital of Riyadh where he was admitted in May due to acute pneumonia.

Abdullah succeeded the throne of the oil-rich kingdom shortly after King Fahd passed away.

World leaders and dignitaries, including Britain's Prince Charles, French President Jacques Chirac and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, will attend the funeral of King Fahd scheduled on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Arab League announced Monday that an extraordinary Arab summit scheduled for Wednesday in Egypt's Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh will be postponed out of respect for the death of King Fahd.

Source: Xinhua