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Saudi Arabia Buries Late King Fahd


Saudi Arabia's King Fahd was buried Tuesday in an unmarked grave in the Saudi capital, after a simple ceremony attended by Muslim leaders from across the globe.

The longtime Saudi ruler, thought to be in his early 80s, died Monday in Riyadh.

Saudi television showed throngs of Muslim men gathered at the burial site in the al-Oud cemetery, as the body of the king, wrapped in a brown shroud, was laid to rest.

Under Saudi religious law, non-Muslims were not permitted to attend funeral prayers or burial ceremonies.

Western leaders and dignitaries, including a U.S. delegation led by Vice President Dick Cheney, were expected in the capital later to pay their respects.

Today's mourning was led by King Fahd's younger half-brother, the former Crown Prince Abdullah, who has assumed the Saudi throne. The new king has been the country's de facto ruler since King Fahd suffered a stroke in 1995.

Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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