The Deputy Secretary-General met today with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, H.R.H. Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and H.R.H. Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

On behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations, he expressed heartfelt condolences on the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

The Deputy Secretary-General praised King Abdullah’s major contributions to the progress and prosperity of the Kingdom. He paid tribute to King Abdullah’s efforts to address regional and international challenges at a time of turmoil and rapid change, and to promote dialogue among the world's faiths.

The Deputy Secretary-General also expressed his deep appreciation for King Abdullah’s generous humanitarian support for people across the world, and his important initiatives to combat the global scourge of terrorism.

The Deputy Secretary-General congratulated King Salman bin Abdulaziz for his assumption of the duties as Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz as Crown Prince, and Prince Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz as Deputy Crown Prince. He looked forward to continued close cooperation between the United Nations and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.