World leaders fly to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences

RIYADH: Global leaders will fly to Saudi Arabia on Saturday and Sunday to offer condolences on the death of King Abdullah, who died early on Friday, testimony to Riyadh’s important role in energy markets and the fight against Islamist militancy.
US Vice President Joe Biden, Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande and Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito will meet the new King Salman to offer condolences.
President Barack Obama will cut short his three-day trip to India to travel to Saudi Arabia to pay respects following the death of King Abdullah, US and Indian said Saturday, hours before the US president was to depart for New Delhi.
The schedule change means Obama will skip plans to visit the Taj Mahal, the white marble monument of love. Pradeep Bhatnagar, a top state official based in the city of Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, said US security officials informed him of the cancelation Saturday.
Muslim leaders paid their respects on Friday at Abdullah’s funeral in Riyadh.
Salman takes charge in Saudi Arabia at a time of deep uncertainty in the kingdom, surrounded by a region in tumult and nervous about both Iranian influence and the spread of Islamist militants.
Salman pledged on Friday to maintain the kingdom’s policies and kept most of Abdullah’s cabinet, including the oil, finance and foreign affairs ministers, in place.
Saudi Arabia observes no official period of mourning, in keeping with Islamic tradition, but the royal court has announced that it will receive condolences and pledges of allegiance until Sunday.