Everyone at CMEC wishes to convey their deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to members of The Royal Family on the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.
During this saddest of times, we would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty for her long and unwavering service, in an unparalleled 70-year reign that encompassed some of the most turbulent and decisive moments in modern British and world history.
Read His Majesty The King's statement HERE
Read Prime Minister Liz Truss's statement HERE
CMEC's President Sir Nicholas Soames was interviewed by Times Radio. Listen HERE
The Queen's deep and lasting friendships with the countries of MENA started in the very earliest days of her reign, and leaders across the region have offered their deepest condolences:
JORDAN’S KING ABDULLAH II
“Jordan mourns the passing of an iconic leader. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a beacon of wisdom and principled leadership for seven decades. She was a partner for Jordan and a dear family friend. We stand with the people and leadership of the UK at this difficult time.”
SAUDI ARABIA’S KING SALMAN
“Her Majesty was a model of leadership that will be immortalised in history. We recall with appreciation her efforts in strengthening the relations and friendship between our two countries, as well as the high international status that Her Majesty enjoyed throughout her reign.”
QATAR’S EMIR TAMIM BIN HAMAD
“Our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the British people over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which with her loss the world has lost a great human symbol.”
UAE PRESIDENT SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL-NAHYAN
“I extend my sincere condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II and the people of the UK. 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.”
KUWAIT EMIR SHEIKH NAWAF AL-AHMAD AL-JABER AL-SABAH
The Emir expressed his deep sorrow and sympathy in a cable sent to the British Government. He said that “the whole world had lost with her death a great leader who was wise, experienced and far-sighted.” Kuwait’s Crown Prince Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also expressed his deep sorrow.
OMAN’S SULTAN HAITHAM BIN TARIK
Oman's ruler has expressed “his heartfelt sympathies to King Charles, his family and people of the UK” and recalled the virtues of the late Queen and the lofty status that she was accorded by nations across the world.
BAHRAIN’S KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL-KHALIFA
The ruler of Bahrain has mourned Queen Elizabeth II’s “passing and emphasised that the world has lost a great source of inspiration and strength whose wisdom and humanity will be missed by all.” King Hamad has ordered that flags be lowered to half-mast for three days.
IRAQ PRESIDENT BARHAM SALIH
“I feel deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I offer my deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom. Queen Elizabeth will be remembered as a great symbol of history who served with grace, dignity and steadfastness.”
KURDISTAN REGION PRESIDENT MASROUR BARZANI
“We join the world in mourning HM the Queen, a peerless titan of our times who served with elegance and grace for seven decades. As a beacon of selfless duty, she inspired so many around the globe. My condolences to to The Royal Family, the people of Britain and the Commonwealth.”
MOROCCO'S KING MOHAMMED VI
The King has offered condolences, recalling the “qualities and merits of an illustrious queen, who invariably stood as a symbol of the greatness of the United Kingdom, devoting her entire life to serving her country.”
EGYPT’S PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI
“I offer my sincere condolences, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Egypt, to the Royal Family, the British Government and the people of the United Kingdom, on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who led her country for decades with great wisdom.”
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS
“We have received with great sorrow the news about the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. 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.”
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YAIR LAPID
“On behalf of the Government and people of Israel, I send my condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She leaves behind an unparalleled legacy of leadership and service. May her memory be for a blessing.”
LEBANON’S PRESIDENT MICHEL AOUN
Emphasising how the Lebanese people were deeply saddened by the loss of the Queen, he said: “She was always by their side, especially during the painful circumstances that Lebanon underwent.”
HEAD OF LIBYA'S GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY, ABDUL HAMID DBEIBAH
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah offered his “sincere condolences and sympathy to the British Royal Family and its people on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.” “The Queen has always been a symbol of the unity for her country and the service of her people,” he added.
HEAD OF LIBYA'S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FATHI BASHAGHA
“I extend my sincere condolences and sympathy to the United Kingdom and the British people on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.”
TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN
“I learned with sadness of Queen Elizabeth II passing today. My deepest condolences to the Royal Family and the people, and friendly and allied government of the United Kingdom.”
HIS EXCELLENCY SHAIKH FAWAZ BIN MOHAMED BIN KHALIFA, BAHRAIN'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UK AND THE DEAN OF THE ARAB DIPLOMATIC CORPS IN THE UK
“I am saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. I extend my deepest sympathies to the Royal Family, the people of the UK & the Commonwealth. The Queen dedicated Her life to the service of Her country & Her people & will be much missed in & across the world.”
We will be including more condolences from the region in the coming days.