Saudis to 'pledge allegiance' to new king

Riyadh - Saudi clerics, tribal chiefs and officials were set to converge on a government palace in Riyadh to pledge allegiance to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the new monarch of the wealthy oil powerhouse.

One day after world leaders joined ordinary Saudi citizens in paying respects to the late King Fahd, who died on Monday, Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz will receive the public endorsement, in line with tradition in the Muslim kingdom.

More foreign leaders were expected to fly into the country to offer condolences on the demise of Fahd, who was at the helm for 23 years, and congratulate the new monarch, his half-brother and de facto ruler since the late king suffered a stroke a decade ago.

French President Jacques Chirac, British heir to the throne Prince Charles, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, Swiss President Samuel Schmid and Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka were among world figures who came on Tuesday to pay respects after Fahd was buried in a simple ceremony.

The White House announced that Vice President Dick Cheney would lead a US delegation to Saudi Arabia after US President George W. Bush telephoned Abdullah to offer his condolences and congratulate him on his accession.

Fahd, believed to be aged 84, was buried in an unmarked grave at the Al-Od public cemetery in Riyadh after brief prayers at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah mosque during which dozens of Arab and Muslim leaders joined members of the Al-Saud ruling family.

Saudi Arabia's grand mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, has called on citizens to rally behind King Abdullah and his crown prince, marking the endorsement of the official religious establishment.

Fahd, who carried the title of "custodian of the two holy mosques" in Mecca and Medina, Islam's holiest sites, was laid to rest in line with traditions stemming from the strict Wahhabi doctrine of Islam predominant in Saudi Arabia.

Saudis will also show their allegiance to the new 82-year-old king, who has inherited the title of "custodian of the two holy mosques," by visiting ruling family members who serve as governors of various provinces in the vast Gulf country.

Across the Arab world, governments have announced periods of mourning for the late Fahd, whose last years saw his country rocked by a wave of Al-Qaeda violence. An Arab summit which had been due to be held in Egypt Wednesday was postponed. -- AFP News

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