Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH —  From across the Arab and Muslim worlds, from Europe, Asia, and America, presidents, prime ministers and dignitaries arrived in Riyadh to pay their respects.



It is a recognition of the Kingdom’s power as the world’s leading oil exporter, a political heavyweight in the region, and as home to Islam’s holiest sites.



US President Barack Obama announced he would cut short a visit to India to travel to the Kingdom on Tuesday.



Saudi Arabia has long been a key United States ally and last year joined the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against the self-proclaimed Islamic State group.



Obama “called King Salman from Air Force One today to personally express his sympathies,” the White House said on Saturday.



World leaders have praised the late King Abdullah as a key mediator between Muslims and the West.



“Saudi Arabia is a partner, both economic and political,” said French President Francois Hollande, who arrived in Riyadh with Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drain.



The late King Abdullah pushed through cautious changes, taking such decisions as including women in the Shoura Council.



He oversaw accession to the World Trade Organization, and built new cities, universities and railways.



Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz pledged continuity.



Within hours of acceding to the throne, King Salman, vowed to maintain the same policies as his predecessors.



“We will continue adhering to the correct policies which Saudi Arabia has followed since its establishment,” he said in a speech broadcast on state television.



Saudi Arabia is respected for its role as a spiritual leader for Muslims. Riyadh has played a key role in supporting opposition against the atrocities of President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria.



The Kingdom has led regional concern over instability in its southern neighbor Yemen. Yemen’s parliamentary speaker arrived in Riyadh on Saturday.