BEIRUT: Prime Minister Najib Mikati arrived in Riyadh Tuesday along with a ministerial delegation for the funeral of the late Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel-Aziz who died Sunday morning in the United States, where he was receiving medical treatment.

“Our presence here today with the ministerial delegation accompanied by prominent sheikhs and our announcement of a day of mourning in Lebanon stems from our loyalty to the deceased who placed Lebanon in his heart and mind,” Mikati told reporters in Riyadh.

“[Lebanese] feel very sad today for his absence. Our participation echoes these genuine sentiments among Lebanese,” he added.

Mikati and the delegation offered their condolences to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz, Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdel-Aziz and the royal family at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah mosque, where the delegation said a prayer for the deceased following prayers at the mosque.

The delegation included Finance Minister Mohammad Safadi, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, State Minister Ahmad Karami, Information Minister Walid Daouk and Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi. It also included representatives of Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Rashid Qabbani, Mufti Sheikh Khalil al-Mays and Mufti for Tripoli and the North Sheikh Malik al-Shaar.

Mikati praised the extensive philanthropic work of Prince Sultan and said these represented major achievement, adding that the crown prince had contributed to strengthening the position and role of the kingdom internationally as well as in the Arab and Muslim world.

Mikati and the delegation headed back to Beirut later Tuesday.