UN pays tribute to late Saudi King Abdullah

The UN General Assembly on Monday paid tribute to late Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, with UN chief praising that the king's efforts made an impact throughout the Arab and Islamic worlds and the international community.

"King Abdullah was a wise and compassionate leader who guided Saudi Arabia's development, worked to resolve peace and security challenges and address counter-terrorism," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at a session of the Assembly.

He called Abdullah "a champion against global hunger" who gave the World Food Program its largest single donation -- 500 million U.S. dollars -- during the 2008 crisis over high food prices and generously supported humanitarian efforts in Syria and Iraq.

Ban also praised the king's role in opposing extremism and seeking reconciliation among people of different faiths and cultures.

Abdullah died on Jan. 23 at the age of 90. He was hospitalized in December for pneumonia and had been breathing with aid.

Salman, Abdullah's half-brother, has become the new king of Saudi Arabia, while Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz was declared the new crown prince.

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