Death of Saudi Arabia's King saddens Georgia

Georgia's President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili are expressing their sorrow over the death of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

"This is a great loss not only for the people of Saudi Arabia but for the entire world, as His Majesty's global leadership played an invaluable role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond," said the Georgian leaders in their joint letter of sympathy. 

Margvelashvli and Garibashvili also offered their condolences to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Abdullah’s 79-year-old half-brother who had been confirmed as the nation's new king.

Abdullah, who ruled Saudi Arabia since 2005 and was said to be aged about 90, had been suffering from a lung infection. 

He had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years and King Salman had recently taken on the ailing monarch's responsibilities.