By IANS,
Jeddah : Indian Law Minister Salman Khurshid arrived here Sunday for the funeral of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who died Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
He was received by Prince Mishaal bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, governor of Jeddah province, and a number of officials at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, 19 km from Jeddah.
Khurshid arrived here representing India to express condolences to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the royal family and the people of the country.
Earlier Sunday, in his message to King Abdullah, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his “profound sorrow and deep grief” and offered India’s “deepest condolences” over the sudden demise of the crown prince.
“Prince Nayef will always be remembered and admired for his outstanding contribution towards the development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in many different fields,” the prime minister said.
The 78-year-old crown prince was hospitalised in Geneva and had left the country for medical tests late last month, BBC reported. Prince Nayef was also deputy prime minister and interior minister. Nayef was named crown prince last year succeeding Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.
Saudi Arabia is expected to declare a period of mourning following Prince Nayef’s burial.