King Abdullah received oaths of loyalty from hundreds of top Muslim clerics, tribal chiefs and other prominent Saudis on Wednesday in a traditional ceremony that bestows his legitimacy. 
According to The AP, members of the Supreme Council of senior clerics were the first to file by Abdullah, shake his hand and declare their allegiance to him as Saudi Arabia's sixth king.
Hundreds of tribal chiefs, religious clerics, government officials and senior armed forces officers waited in the big hall of the palace for their turn to honor Abdullah.
In the ceremony, known as "bayah," each one shakes Abdullah's hand and pronounces, "I express my allegiance to you. I hear and obey, except in what would disobey God."
Before the ceremony, Abdullah received Britain's Prince Charles and other Western dignitaries. During the meeting, Charles expressed his condolences for the death of King Fahd.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
