Queen Elizabeth II: Arab states offer condolences after death of UK's longest-reigning monarch

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday ending the longest reign in British history. 

Tributes poured in for the late monarch from across the globe, including from a number of states in the Middle East. 

Jordan 

Jordan offered a heartfelt tribute following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, calling her an "iconic leader" and "a dear family friend". 

Amman, which gained independence from Britain in 1946 and continues to be one of the UK's close allies in the Middle East, announced a seven-day mourning period starting on Thursday. 

King Abdullah II, whose mother Princess Muna Al-Hussein was born in Britain, said: "We stand with the people and leadership of the UK at this difficult time."

Queen Rania said: "With a heavy heart we bid farewell to an icon of selfless dedication and unwavering commitment, a queen who embodied the traits of a faithful and devoted sovereign."

Bahrain 

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa said the world had lost "a great symbol of humanity, wisdom and tolerance" following the passing of Queen Elizabeth. 

Flags will be drawn at half-mast for three days in the Gulf state. 

King Hamad offered his "deepest condolences" to King Charles III, the royal family and the British people. He also praised the Queen for “her outstanding role in consolidating ties, solid friendship and deep-rooted relations of friendship,” reported Bahraini media on Friday. 

Bahrain gained independence from Britain in 1971. Strong relations have persisted between the two nations, particularly around security issues given a number of British military bases in the Gulf state. 

HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister extends his condolences to His Majesty King Charles III following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIhttps://t.co/dykasKps92 pic.twitter.com/6Qd832GC8y

— Bahrain News Agency (@bna_en) September 8, 2022

United Arab Emirates 

The UAE’s President Mohamed bin Zayed said: "Her Majesty was a close friend of the UAE and a beloved and respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion and a tireless commitment to serving her country."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said: "We join the world in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, a global icon who represented the finest qualities of her nation and people." 

The UAE has begun a three-day mourning period to mark the Queen's death. Flags in the seven emirates and at embassies abroad will fly at half-mast for the duration. 

The country has historic ties with the UK dating back to the 1971 "Treaty of Friendship" signed during the UAE's inception.

Lebanon 

The Lebanese caretaker government announced an official three-day mourning period beginning on Friday and ending Sunday. The Lebanese flag will be lowered to half-mast at all public administrations, institutions, and municipalities, and programmes on broadcasting stations, local media reported.  

President Michel Aoun said the Queen "was always by their side, especially during the painful circumstances that Lebanon underwent". 

The announcement of official mourning received critical responses among some Lebanese who slammed the decision given the country’s current political and economic crises. Only a single day of mourning was declared after the August 4 2020 explosion, where over 200 people died. 

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued a memorandum declaring 3 days of official mourning on the occasion of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Lebanese flag also flys at half this morning at the presidential palace in Baabda pic.twitter.com/Wz7pDYcz2V

— Nafiseh Kohnavard (@nafisehkBBC) September 9, 2022

Palestine 

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sent his condolences to King Charles III after his mother's passing. 

"Her life was dedicated to the service of her country and people. For decades, she meticulously carried out her royal duties, leaving behind a rich legacy that will be engraved in the hearts and minds of coming generations," the president said. 

Abbas also sent a cable to newly appointed UK Prime Minister Liz Truss offering condolences to her government and the British people. 

Palestine’s Ambassador to the UK tweeted: "She was an anchor in stormy seas and a model of decorum and order in a turbulent world."

Her Majesty leaves behind a formidable legacy. She was an anchor in stormy seas and a model of decorum and order in a turbulent world. Our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, UK government and the British people. May she rest in eternal peace. @JamesCleverly @RoyalFamily https://t.co/2Xt7wNyH6e

— Husam Zomlot (@hzomlot) September 8, 2022

Qatar 

Qatar has also mourned the death of the queen, the two countries close allies for many decades.

"The world has unanimously appreciated and respected her. She was a source of inspiration and nobility," said Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Qatar continues to have close relations with the UK, with both nations working together on range of political, commercial and security issues. 

Qatar's Amir Sheikh @TamimBinHamad has released a statement passing on his condolences to the British Royal family following the death of Queen Elizabeth ll. pic.twitter.com/HZQwTbseoq

— Doha News (@dohanews) September 8, 2022

Iraq 

Iraq’s President Barham Salih said Queen Elizabeth will be remembered as a "great icon of history who served with grace, dignity and fortitude". 

Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi offered "deep and sincere sympathies to the British people and Britain’s Royal Family" on Twitter. 

"Queen Elizabeth II was respected and cherished the world over," he said. 

Iraqi-Kurdistan’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani described Elizabeth as a "beacon of selfless duty". 

Britain governed over Iraq after the first World War from 1921 to 1932 when the Middle East nation gained independence. 

Kuwait 

Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah expressed his "deep sorrow" over the passing of Queen Elizabeth on Thursday. 

In his cable to King Charles III, the Kuwaiti noted the Queen’s "critical role and the kingdom’s participation during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990". Fought in 1990-91, the Gulf War saw the largest single deployment of British troops since the Second World War to fight against Iraqi forces in the Gulf nation. 

The Kuwaiti cabinet will fly its flags at half-mast for a period of three days, starting on Friday, following the Queen's death. 

مجلس الوزراء الكويتي يُقرر تنكيس الأعلام لمدة 3 أيام اعتباراً من يوم غد الجمعة 9-9-2022 حداداً على وفاة صاحبة الجلالة الملكة #إليزابيث الثانية

على أن ينتهي الحداد يوم الاثنين المقبل#الملكة_اليزابيث pic.twitter.com/GuLMev9txi

— الزيادي (@AlziadiQ8) September 8, 2022

Oman 

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has given orders to fly flags at half-mast in public and private sectors and above the foreign embassies following the passing of Queen Elizabeth. 

"It is with deep grief that His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has received news of the sad demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom," the Diwan of Royal Court said in a statement. 

The Queen was described as "a constant friend to the Sultanate of Oman" in Omani media. 

Saudi Arabia 

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) sent condolences to King Charles III early on Friday. 

"Her majesty was a role model for leadership that will be immortalized in history," the Saudi king said according to state news agency SPA. 

MbS said the world will remember the great impact and great deeds she did throughout her career.