Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz has sent a cable of condolences to President Vladimir Putin of the Federal Republic of Russia on the death of hundreds and injury to hundreds more during the school siege at Beslan in the Republic of North Ossetia where terrorists kept innocent people, mainly children, hostage for days. Extending heartfelt sympathy to the families and relatives of the victims, he declared that this regrettable and deplorable criminal act is condemned by the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as an act of terrorism that utterly contradicts and violates the bases of all religions and values and all humanitarian principles.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz sent a similar cable of condolences, as did Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector-General Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz.

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