Government | Tuesday 27 January, 2015 12:27 am |

A large number of citizens declared loyalty to their new ruler, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, on Sunday.
Regional governors and ambassadors posted in Saudi diplomatic missions across the world also received pledges of allegiance on behalf of King Salman on Sunday.
More high-profile foreign leaders arrived for the third day to offer condolences on King Abdullah’s death.

They included Belgium’s King Philippe, Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito, Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Libyan Premier Abdullah Al-Thinni and their Parliament speaker Aqilah Saleh Quwaider, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan Nechirvan Barzani and Singapore Deputy Premier Teo Chee Hean.
The ceremony was held at the Royal Court at Al-Yamamah Palace after Isha prayer.

The dignitaries were received at the air base by Riyadh Gov. Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and a number of top officials.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated King Salman on his coronation and expressed his hope for improving relations between the two countries. He wished King Salman good health and success and progress for the Kingdom and its people.

Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif received citizens who made pledges of allegiance to King Salman, said an SPA report. On behalf of King Salman, Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khalid met citizens and officials, who pledged allegiance to the new king.
Najran Gov. Prince Jelawi also received groups of citizens who pledged allegiance. The ceremony, called Bayaa, is a traditional oath of allegiance that formally marks the beginning of the reign of a new king.

On Sunday, a number of Saudi diplomatic missions also received oaths of allegiance.
Saudi Ambassador to Germany Osama bin Abdul Majeed Shobokshi received Saudis in Germany for their pledges.
Saudi Consul General in Houston Sultan Alluwaihan Al-Anqari also received citizens and accepted their oaths.
Meanwhile, the Arab Journalists Union expressed deep sorrow over King Abdullah’s death.