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dated November 11, 1953: Ibn Saud Passes Away

King Ibn Saud (73) died on the 10th, leaving his desert realm - the fourth biggest producer of oil in the world - to his son, Emir Saud Ibn Aziz. Neighbouring countries proclaimed 48 hours' official mourning for the "Lord of Arabia" who had carved out the kingdom during and after the break-up of the Ottoman Empire. The Egyptian Cabinet proclaimed 14 days' State mourning. Cairo Radio broadcast readings from the Holy Quran after announcing Ibn Saud's death. In New York, the United Nations flag was brought to half-mast. Henry Cabot Lodge, permanent U.S. representative to the U.N. said: "The role which King Ibn Saud played in the renaissance of the Middle East has become almost legendary. His loss will be especially felt by my country whose ties with Saudi Arabia are very close." In Britain, Clement Attlee, leader of the Labour Party and a former Prime Minister, declared, "Ibn Saud was a very great ruler. During the War he was a very steadfast friend of Britain. He showed remarkable insight into the general strategy of war." A London report said: Saud Ibn Aziz, the new King, is one of the 150 sons Ibn Saud is credited with. The old King always had the four wives permitted by Islamic law, and often divorced one to be able to marry another.

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