27 November 2016
Arab leaders have reacted to the death at the weekend of Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary leader who built a communist state on the doorstep of the United States and become a central figure in the Cold War.
UAE: Emirati leaders, including President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent telegrams of condolence. In a 2015 visit to the country, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan hoped the two countries will “witness the prosperity of our ties”. Read more here.
Kuwait: The emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, sent his condolences and described Castro as “the world’s longest-serving and most iconic leaders”.
Bahrain: King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa praised Castro for “his role in the development of Cuba as well as his historic stances supporting Arab issues and defending the right all over the world”.
Turkey: The foreign ministry said Castro "left a legacy of values and ideals that will set a path for the young generations in Cuba."
Lebanon: President Michel Aoun praised the Cuban leader’s “long experience, his power to persuade and the esteem with which he was beheld”. Read more here.
Iran also had close relations with Cuba and in September President Hassan Rouhani met with his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro last month in Havana to reaffirm friendly ties between the two countries.
Click here for an overview of Castro’s five decades in power.
© Express 2016
