Arab countries declare mourning after Saudi ex-FM dies

Days of mourning have been announced and flags flown at half-mast across the Arab world following the death of the former Saudi Foreign Minister, who oversaw four decades of diplomacy for the kingdom.

Both Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordanian King Abdullah cut short their participation in a summit in Switzerland’s city of Davos to take part in the funeral ceremony, with Amman announcing 40 days of mourning and Cairo seven.

The Saudi Royal Court announced yesterday, the death of Prince Saud al-Faisal, one of the highest profile members of the country’s ruling elite and once the world's longest serving Foreign Minister.

He was appointed in 1975, before being replaced in April this year as part of a major government reshuffle. He suffered from health problems, including chronic back pain. Funeral prayers will be held tomorrow in the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

ALJAZEERA