Obama offers condolences for death of Saudi crown prince

President Obama expressed his condolences to Saudi Arabia on Saturday over the death of the heir-apparent to the Saudi throne.

Prince Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz died in a New York hospital after slipping in and out a coma this summer, according to the New York Times. He was the Saudi minister of defense and aviation and was reportedly battling colon cancer since 2004.

{mosads}“It was with great regret that I learned of the passing of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz of Saudi Arabia,” Obama said in a statement released by the White House.

“As minister of defense and aviation for almost 50 years, Crown Prince Sultan dedicated himself to the welfare and security of his people and country and was a valued friend of the United States. He was a strong supporter of the deep and enduring partnership between our two countries forged almost seven decades ago in the historic meeting between President Roosevelt and King Abd al-Aziz Al Saud. On behalf of the American people, I extend my deepest condolences to King Abdullah, the royal family, and the people of Saudi Arabia.”