Saudi statesman Ghazi Algosaibi dies

CAIRO - Ghazi Algosaibi, 70, Saudi Arabia's consummate statesman and liberal writer, died Sunday of stomach cancer, relatives said.

A former ambassador to Britain, Algosaibi often represented his country at international forums and was known for his poetry and liberal religious views in a conservative country that banned his writings.

"May God rest his soul, for he was someone which many in Saudi Arabia are fond of, his books, poetry and life experience. He touched the lives of many," his cousin Saud Algosaibi told The Associated Press, adding that he died of colon cancer that had spread to his stomach lining.

He was treated in the United States then traveled this summer to Bahrain, where most of his family lives. Just before his death, he headed to Saudi Arabia, said relative Mounira Fakhro. Algosaibi underwent surgery three weeks ago at Riyadh's King Faisal Specialist Hospital and had been in intensive care since, a hospital official said.

He had a distinguished career in public service. Algosaibi headed the ministries of health, electricity, water, industry and labor. He also served in the post of ambassador to Britain from 1992-2002.He was also a prolific novelist, poet and columnist.

It was only in the last month that the Saudi Culture Ministry lifted the ban on his writings, citing his contributions to the kingdom.

Algosaibi also came under fire in 2002 when, as an ambassador to Britain, he wrote a poem praising Palestinian suicide bombers at the height of the second Palestinian uprising.

In the poem titled "The Martyrs," Algosaibi said the bombers "died to honor God's word." Under criticism from Jewish groups, Algosaibi defended his poem and accused Israel of committing war crimes.

He studied in Cairo, California and Britain. He was also the kingdom's candidate to head UNESCO in 1999.

Survivors include his wife, four children and eight grandchildren. He will be buried in Riyadh, with a funeral service in Bahrain. - AP