AlQa'dah 24, 1432, Oct 22, 2011, SPA -- U.S. President Barack Obama expressed today his "great regret" at the death of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. President Obama noted the important role that Prince Sultan had played in cementing ties between the two nations. "He was a strong supporter of the deep and enduring partnership between our two countries forged almost seven decades ago," President Obama said in a statement, adding that he had been "a valued friend of the United States."