Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, each sent cables of condolences to Tunisian interim President Mohamed Ennaceur over the death of President Beji Caid Essebsi, said the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.
They offered their condolences to Ennaceur, Essebsi’s family and the people of Tunisia.
The Tunisian presidency had announced Essebsi’s death on Thursday.
Hafedh Caid Essebsi said that his 92-year-old father was hospitalized after he suffered the effects of last month's crisis, confirming an earlier report on local radio.
Ennaceur, president of the Assembly of People's Representatives, took the oath of office Thursday.
According to the Tunisian constitution, the parliament chief takes over for a period of 45 to 90 days if the president is incapacitated, until new elections are organized.
A funeral for Essebsi is planned Saturday, and the government declared seven days of mourning.
Condolences came in from other Arab countries, with several states announcing multiple days of mourning.
The independent electoral commission said the presidential election will take place on September 15 after it was scheduled on November 17.
