BEIRUT - Arab nations mourned the death Tuesday of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan, the founding father and president of the United Arab Emirates.
Lebanese President Emile Lahoud expressed in Beirut his "deep sadness" at the passing of Sheikh Zayed, saying it was a "loss for his people, for Lebanon, for the Arab states and for the entire world."
"Lebanon, which occupied a special place in the heart and spirit of Sheikh Zayed, is today full of sadness" because the UAE leader was always a "supporter and fierce defender of its rights, notably over the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon."
A statement issued in Cairo by the office of President Hosni Mubarak called Sheikh Zayed "a very dear friend, a leader and the best of men" and announced a three-day period of mourning.
It said he had "dedicated his life to his country and had sacrificed himself for his nation," a reference to the Arab world.
Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa characterised Sheikh Zayed as a "noble knight, whose life was a unique example of unstinting generosity, marked by his responsible, measured and wise leadership."
From Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz telephoned the new emir of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, to present his condolences on his father's death and to say that he would lead a delegation to the emirate on Wednesday.
Jordan's King Abdullah II decreed a 40-day mourning period at the royal court and the government called for three days nationwide.
"The Arab and Muslim nation has lost a great and wise leader who spent his lifetime working for the good of his country and his Muslim and Arab nation," a statement from the royal palace said.
Earlier this year King Abdullah's half-sister, Haya, daughter of the late King Hussein, wed Dubai's Crown Prince General Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum, who is also defence minister of the United Arab Emirates.
Bahrain will observe a 40-day period of mourning, with government offices closed for three days in honor of Sheikh Zayed, described by a statement from the royal palace as a "great leader" in the Arab world.
The Yemeni government declared three days of mourning, with an official statement highlighting the "eminent role" that Sheikh Zayed had filled in defending Arab and Islamic causes.
In the West Bank, prime minister Ahmed Qorei announced that the Palestinians would also observe three days of mourning.
Iraq will observe three days of national mourning in tribute to Sheikh Zayed.
The announcement from Prime Minister Iyad Allawi was read out early Wednesday on the official Iraqi television station al-Irakiya.
The Iraqi government said it wanted to honor "a leader who set himself apart through his wisdom and his nationalist positions". The official mourning period began on Tuesday.
In the UAE itself, a 40-day official period of mourning was declared, with government departments to close down for eight days.
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