By IANS,
Washington : US President Barack Obama has expressed his “deepest condolences” on the death of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, said a statement issued by the White House.
“It was with great regret that I learned of the passing of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz of Saudi Arabia,” Xinhua quoted Obama as saying in the statement.
The president said the crown prince, as defence and aviation minister for almost 50 years, dedicated himself to the welfare and security of his people and country, and was a valued friend of the US.
Obama also hailed him as a strong supporter of the “deep and enduring partnership” between the two countries.
Sultan bin Abdul Aziz passed away Saturday. Saudi news agency SPA quoted the royal palace as saying that he died of “illness”. BBC said he was in his eighties and was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004.