RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Muslim leaders and Saudi princes prayed for the late King Fahd in a packed Riyadh mosque today, bidding farewell to this oil-rich country's ruler for almost a quarter-century.

Fahd's body was brought into the Imam Turki bin Abdullah mosque, wrapped in a plain brown cloth on a wooden plank carried by his sons. It was placed in the middle of the mosque amid the crowd of thousands, including his successor, King Abdullah.

Thousands packed the mosque, some with tears in their eyes as the prayer for the dead began.

Fahd, the country's absolute monarch since 1982 died early Monday at age 84 after nearly two months in a Riyadh hospital. He'd been leader in name only the last decade, following a debilitating stroke in 1995.

His half brother and the country's de factor ruler the last 10 years, Abdullah was quickly installed as the successor to the Saudi throne.

According to Islamic rituals, the body of a deceased should be buried quickly to honor it, and coffins are not used. Instead, the body is interred in a white shroud.

Western leaders and dignitaries including Britain's Prince Charles, French President Jacques Chirac and Australia's governor general will also arrive in Riyadh to pay their respects to Fahd. A U.S. delegation will also attend, but its makeup was not immediately known.

Thousands of forces have been deployed to the capital, including several hundred police and anti-terrorism personnel.

Saudi Arabia has been on high alert for terror attacks during the past two years amid a violent campaign waged by Islamic militants allied to Saudi dissident and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, who has vowed to topple the ruling royal family for its close ties to the United States.

There are no gravestones or tombs for any of the kings, only piles of dirt and a simple stone at each grave with no name or inscription.

Countries from all over the globe have sent their condolences following the death of Fahd, who as Saudi's ruler has controlled the world's largest oil reserves and been custodian of Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina.

"It is a sad day for us but (the loss of Fahd) is a harsh reality that we have to face," said Khaled Saleh, a 30-year-old hotel customer relations manager.

Another Riyadh resident, Abdullah al-Dokry, 30, said he was "worried about the future of our country" and said "more energetic people are needed to take us into the future."

Countries around the world marked today as a day of mourning. Flags on New Zealand public buildings and military facilities were flown at half staff today, and Spain declared today as a day of mourning.

Flags in Saudi Arabia will not be lowered to half-staff because the green Saudi flag is inscribed with Islam's testament of faith, "There is no god but God and Muhammad is His prophet." Putting it at half staff would be a debasement of God's name.