London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Western and Arab leaders on Friday paid glowing tributes to Saudi Arabia’s former Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal who passed away on Thursday.

Prince Saud’s tenure as foreign minister lasted for four decades until he retired in April 2015, for health reasons. He was replaced as a foreign minister by the Kingdom’s ambassador to Washington Adel Al-Jubeir.

The prince died in the United States on Thursday.

US President Barack Obama paid his respects to the late prince, acknowledging his enduring legacy as a diplomat and statesman.

“Generations of American leaders and diplomats benefited from Prince Saud’s thoughtful perspective, charisma and poise, and will remember his diplomatic skill,” Obama said in a statement.

Obama also lauded Prince Saud’s commitment to the importance of the US-Saudi relationship and efforts to achieve stability and security in the region and beyond. “His legacy will be remembered around the world.”

The US Secretary of State John Kerry called Prince Saud “a man of vast experience, personal warmth, great dignity and keen insights who served his country loyally and well.”

Kerry added: “I personally admired him greatly, valued his friendship and appreciated his wise counsel. His legacy as a statesman and diplomat will not be forgotten.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday said he was “saddened to hear of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Saud Al-Faisal,” praising his “great wisdom in international affairs over his long years of service to the Kingdom.”

Also in the UK, Former Prime Minister Tony Blair extended his “deep condolences” to the Saudi royal family, describing Prince Saud as a “man of great humanity, compassion and wisdom.”

Prince Saud was “someone of huge experience and insight. He worked tirelessly for peace,” Blair added.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz on Friday received several telephone calls from world leaders, offering their condolences on the passing of Prince Saud.

Among those who spoke to the Saudi King were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh.

Tributes also poured in from across the Arab world.

Lebanon’s former President Michel Suleiman told Asharq Al-Awsat that Prince Saud was: “a distinguished and unique figure who truly deserved the nickname of ‘the Prince of Arab diplomacy.’”

Suleiman said he got to know Prince Saud closely during dozens of meetings they had, praising his “intelligence and courteousness.”

Suleiman said Prince Saud was “the best to have translated the Kingdom’s policy of dialogue and openness in Lebanon.”

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shukri expressed his deep distress over the death of Prince Saud. He said: “Egypt will not forget the late prince who supported it during the June 30 revolution.”

Jordan’s King Abdullah II sent a telegram to King Salman expressing his sincere condolences. The monarch of Jordan praised Prince Saud for “spending five decades of service to his country and the Arab and Muslim nation.”

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also expressed its “deep sorrow and sadness” at the passing of Prince Saud, saying that it will always remember his “historic role” and “sincere efforts” as a member of its ministerial council.

The UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also sent their condolences to Saudi King Salman.

Several Arab and Western leaders are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to attend Prince Saud’s funeral.

Funeral prayers for Prince Saud are set to be held at the Grand Mosque of Mecca after evening prayers on Saturday.