Abu Bakr Salem, one of the most popular singers of the Gulf who synthesized Yemen`s rich musical traditions, has died aged 78 in Saudi Arabia after leaving an indelible mark on music in the Arab world. Salem, who held Yemeni and Saudi nationalities, died of a long illness Sunday in a Riyadh hospital, his son Aseel Abu Bakr said in a Twitter post. `My father and mentor has passed away,` he said. Salem was mourned in war-torn Yemen, both by the Huthi rebels and the internationally-recognised government the insurgents are battling, and in Saudi Arabia. The Huthi rebels who control the Yemeni capital Sanaa mourned `one of the rare Arab artists to combine song, composition, musical arrangement and poetry`, the insurgents` media reported. The government of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, based in the southern port city of Aden, also paid tribute to Saleh, calling hi
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