Interior Minister Magdi Abdel Ghaffar sent on Sunday a cable of condolences to Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Mohamed ben Nayef over the death of former foreign minister Saud al Faisal.

Abdel Ghaffar lauded the late official's defense of Saudi and Arab rights at all international arenas and his continued support of Egypt's political and national stance before the international community.

Faisal served as the kingdom's foreign minister for 40 years.

He died at a hospital in the United States on Thursday and funeral prayers were held on Saturday.