In his cable, King Abdullah expressed his profound sorrow at the news of Sheikh Maktoum’s death, and said that the sheikh was a prominent leader who will be greatly missed by Gulf, Arab and Islamic nations. The king also offered his deepest sympathies to Sheikh Maktoum’s family.
King Abdullah also sent a cable of condolence to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the former crown prince who has succeeded his brother as emir of Dubai.
Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz also sent cables of condolence to both Sheikh Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed.
On behalf of King Abdullah, Governor of Riyadh Province Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz will head the Saudi delegation attending Sheikh Maktoum's funeral in Dubai Thursday .