Head of the Arab Commission for Human Rights Hadi al Yami mourned former Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al Faisal who passed away on Thursday.

In a statement, Yami voiced deep sorrow over the death of Faisal, who was in the front lines defending and promoting Arab and Muslim interests.

Prince Saud embodied strength and wisdom and his many years as foreign minister were conducted as a visionary for his people, the statement read.

Prince Saud served as foreign minister from 1975 to 2015. By the time of his retirement, he was the world's longest-serving foreign minister. He was replaced on April 29 by Adel al Jubeir, former Saudi ambassador to the United States.