Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz met today with French President Jacques Chirac, U.S. President Bill Clinton, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Turkish President Suleiman Demirel, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles of the United Kingdom, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, and former U.S. Presidents George Bush and Jimmy Carter, prior to attending the funeral ceremonies for King Hussein. Later, the Crown Prince offered prayers at the Hamza bin Abdulmutlib Mosque, before proceeding to the reception where together with other world leaders, he exchanged condolences on the death of King Hussein. After the burial, Crown Prince Abdullah conveyed the condolences of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi royal family and the people of Saudi Arabia, to King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein, to Prince Muhammad bin Talal, to Prince Hassan bin Talal, to Prince Faisal bin Al-Hussein, to Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, to Crown Prince Hamza bin Al-Hussein, to Prince Hashim bin Al-Hussein, and to all members of the Hashemite family. He also called on Queen Noor.

In addition, Crown Prince Abdullah sent two cables of condolence. In his cable to King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein, he expressed his sympathy and support, praising the new king by saying that King Hussein had not passed away, having left his good character in his son. He declared: "We have said farewell to King Hussein, and by the Grace of God, he is now in heaven; but he has left behind him legacies of his values and principles, which will not be forgotten by history. He will be known for his contributions, successes and experiences in all arenas. We are aware that our brothers in Jordan are facing a new era, but this does not prompt any concern, because you have been chosen by King Hussein to lead your country now and in the future. Meeting you yesterday, I sensed wisdom, clear vision and patience. I am very optimistic about your abilities to lead this dear country to a great and bright future. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, its government and its people, have been, are now, and always will be, by the Grace of God, supportive of Jordan, its leadership, its government, and its people, with all its potentials and abilities. That which links our two countries is greater and deeper than can be expressed in words. We reaffirm before Your Majesty, that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will remain faithful and stand firmly and strongly by your side in good days and in bad. Remember always, Your Majesty, there are brothers for you in the Kingdom of the late King Abdul Aziz. And if they promise, they fulfill, and carry out what they say. I repeat what I have said, because I sincerely believe there are strong bonds between our two countries arising from firm bases of religion, blood and location, as well as the history and fate we share."

In his cable to Crown Prince Hamza bin Al-Hussein, the Saudi Crown Prince stated: "As we leave our brotherly country after participating in the funeral ceremony of your father, King Hussein bin Talal, we compliment you on the royal trust bestowed on you by your nomination as Crown Prince of Jordan - a position which you are well qualified to hold, and, by the Grace of God, you will continue the noble process begun by your father to realize the aspirations of our brothers the Jordanian people. We wish you every success, constant health and happiness, and greater progress and prosperity for the people of Jordan."

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