Saud bin Faisal bin Abdul Aziz
Encyclopedia
Saud bin Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud , also known as Saud Al Faisal, has been the Foreign Minister
of Saudi Arabia
since 1975. He is the world's longest-serving Foreign Minister.
He is the son of the late King Faisal
. He is a brother of the influential Prince Turki and Prince Khalid
, Governor of the Makkah Province. He is a nephew of the present King Abdullah
.
in 1941. He is the third son of the late King Faisal. He attended the Hun School of Princeton
and graduated from Princeton University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
He became an economic consultant for the Ministry of Petroleum. In 1966, he was moved to General Organization for Petroleum and Mineral Resources (Petromin
). In February 1970, he became Deputy Governor of Petromin for Planning Affairs. In 1971, he became Deputy Minister of Ministry of Petroleum. He was also a member of the High Coordination Committee.
made him Foreign Minister
. He is currently the world's longest-serving incumbent foreign minister. He is well regarded in the diplomatic community. He speaks 7 languages.
In 1985, he raised awareness in Britain
of Soviet activity in the Horn of Africa
.
In February 2007, Frances Townsend
's requested Saud for Arabsat to block Al-Manar
broadcasting. Saud claimed that Iranian financing was more of a influence than Al-Manar.
He wanted Condoleezza Rice
to focus on "key substantive issues" of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
He complained that US banks were auditing Saudi Embassy banks illegally. He asserted auditors were "inappropriate and aggressive". He also declared that the Saudi Embassy has diplomatic immunity
.
In July 2004, he claimed the real source of problems in the Middle East were not Muslims but "injustice and deprivation inflicted in the region". On August 2007, he denied allegations that terrorist were crossing the Iraq-Saudi border and claimed it was vice-versa.
In July 2006, he urged U.S. President Bush
to call for a ceasefire in the Lebanon bombing.
In January 2008, he supported parliamentary elections in Pakistan. He indicated that Pakistan did not need "overt, external interference" to solve political division. He commended Nawaz Sharif as stable bipartisan candidate.
In February 2010, he told General Jones to distinguish between friends and enemies in Pakistan rather than using indiscriminate military action. He insisted that Pakistan's army must maintain its credibility.
In November 2010, he led the Saudi delegation at the G-20 Summit.
In January 2011, he withdrew out of mediation efforts to reinstate a government in Lebanon.
In March 2011, he went to Europe to rally support for Saudi Arabia's intervention in Bahrain
.
In 2008, he suggested a secret Arab military force against Hezbollah with the assistance of the West. According to leaked diplomatic memos, he accused UN troops in Lebanon of doing nothing. He also expressed concerns over Iran's influence over Hezbollah.
In early 2011, he expressed fear of the "dangerous" instability in Lebanon after the fall of the Hariri
government. He also stated that Lebanon's ability to establish peaceful coexistence with so many different groups may be a significant loss in the Arab world if the nation failed in creating a government.
and King Abdullah
.
He was firmly anti-Soviet and is an Arab nationalist. He was more resistant to Israeli proposals than King Fahd. He lamented his legacy might be defined "by profound disappointment than by success". He regrets how his generation of leaders have failed to create a Palestinian state. He encouraged Iraqis to defend their country's sovereignty.
His relationship with King Fahd was strained. He is one of King Abdullah's closest allies. He has led Saudi Arabia's efforts to redefine its international image after the September 11 attacks. He is mentioned as a candidate to Saudi Arabia's line of succession
. However he has recently suffered health deterioration. He does not hold majlis
unlike other Saudi royals which has been cause for speculation that he is not interested in kingship.
. He lives in Jeddah.
He has been described (by the British Ministry of Defence) as "tall, handsome, and articulate". He is reportedly very friendly. Unlike other members of the Al Saud, he often speaks publicly and interacts a lot with reporters. He speaks excellent English. He likes to play tennis. He has Parkinson's disease and back pain. He recently returned home after having surgery in California. His physical appearance has shown signs of health deterioration and he has difficulty standing upright.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Saudi Arabia)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the ministry responsible for handling the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's external relations. The ministry oversees "political, cultural and financial international relations" and monitors the Kingdom's diplomatic relations. It was created in 1930 by a royal decree...
of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
since 1975. He is the world's longest-serving Foreign Minister.
He is the son of the late King Faisal
Faisal of Saudi Arabia
Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud was King of Saudi Arabia from 1964 to 1975. As king, he is credited with rescuing the country's finances and implementing a policy of modernization and reform, while his main foreign policy themes were pan-Islamic Nationalism, anti-Communism, and pro-Palestinian...
. He is a brother of the influential Prince Turki and Prince Khalid
Khalid Al-Faisal
Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud is the current Governor of the Makkah Province. He previously served as the Governor of the Asir Province from 1971 to 2007....
, Governor of the Makkah Province. He is a nephew of the present King Abdullah
Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is the King of Saudi Arabia. He succeeded to the throne on 1 August 2005 upon the death of his half-brother, King Fahd. When Crown Prince, he governed Saudi Arabia as regent from 1998 to 2005...
.
Early life and early political career
Saud was born in Taif, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
in 1941. He is the third son of the late King Faisal. He attended the Hun School of Princeton
Hun School of Princeton
The Hun School of Princeton is a private, coeducational, secondary boarding school located in Princeton Township, New Jersey, United States. The school has a Princeton, New Jersey mailing address. The school serves students from grades 6 through high school. Currently, the headmaster is Jonathan...
and graduated from Princeton University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
He became an economic consultant for the Ministry of Petroleum. In 1966, he was moved to General Organization for Petroleum and Mineral Resources (Petromin
Petromin Corporation
The Petromin Corporation is a privately owned Saudi Arabian corporation specializing in lubricant oils including manufactural, industrial, and automotive oils and lubricants. The company was established by a royal decree in 1968 by a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Mobil investments and...
). In February 1970, he became Deputy Governor of Petromin for Planning Affairs. In 1971, he became Deputy Minister of Ministry of Petroleum. He was also a member of the High Coordination Committee.
Timeline
In 1975, King KhalidKhalid of Saudi Arabia
Khalid bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud was King of Saudi Arabia from 1975 to 1982. He ruled during Saudi Arabia's oil boom years. In 1979, he had to deal with the Grand Mosque Seizure...
made him Foreign Minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
. He is currently the world's longest-serving incumbent foreign minister. He is well regarded in the diplomatic community. He speaks 7 languages.
In 1985, he raised awareness in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
of Soviet activity in the Horn of Africa
Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa that juts hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent...
.
In February 2007, Frances Townsend
Frances Townsend
Frances M. Fragos Townsend is the former Homeland Security Advisor to United States President George W. Bush and TV personality. Townsend was appointed to this position by President Bush on May 28, 2004. Her resignation was announced November 19, 2007...
's requested Saud for Arabsat to block Al-Manar
Al-Manar
Al-Manar is a Lebanese satellite television station affiliated with Hezbollah, registered as Lebanese Media Group Company, broadcasting from Beirut, Lebanon. It has an offering a "rich menu" of high production news, commentary, and entertainment. The self-proclaimed "Station of the Resistance" ,...
broadcasting. Saud claimed that Iranian financing was more of a influence than Al-Manar.
He wanted Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
to focus on "key substantive issues" of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
He complained that US banks were auditing Saudi Embassy banks illegally. He asserted auditors were "inappropriate and aggressive". He also declared that the Saudi Embassy has diplomatic immunity
Diplomatic immunity
Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments that ensures that diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws...
.
In July 2004, he claimed the real source of problems in the Middle East were not Muslims but "injustice and deprivation inflicted in the region". On August 2007, he denied allegations that terrorist were crossing the Iraq-Saudi border and claimed it was vice-versa.
In July 2006, he urged U.S. President Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
to call for a ceasefire in the Lebanon bombing.
In January 2008, he supported parliamentary elections in Pakistan. He indicated that Pakistan did not need "overt, external interference" to solve political division. He commended Nawaz Sharif as stable bipartisan candidate.
In February 2010, he told General Jones to distinguish between friends and enemies in Pakistan rather than using indiscriminate military action. He insisted that Pakistan's army must maintain its credibility.
In November 2010, he led the Saudi delegation at the G-20 Summit.
In January 2011, he withdrew out of mediation efforts to reinstate a government in Lebanon.
In March 2011, he went to Europe to rally support for Saudi Arabia's intervention in Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
.
Iran and Lebanon
Rather than military action on Iran, he has called for tougher sanctions such as travel bans and further bank lending restrictions. He has stated U.S. foreign policy has tilted more power for Iran. He has compared the Iranian influence in Iraq with Iranian influence in Lebanon. He commended positive developments by Iran such as its influence over Hezbollah to end street protests.In 2008, he suggested a secret Arab military force against Hezbollah with the assistance of the West. According to leaked diplomatic memos, he accused UN troops in Lebanon of doing nothing. He also expressed concerns over Iran's influence over Hezbollah.
In early 2011, he expressed fear of the "dangerous" instability in Lebanon after the fall of the Hariri
Hariri
Hariri is a surname and derivative of harir which indicates a mercantile background at one point in that field.-Lebanon:*Bahia Hariri, Lebanese politician; sister of Rafic Hariri...
government. He also stated that Lebanon's ability to establish peaceful coexistence with so many different groups may be a significant loss in the Arab world if the nation failed in creating a government.
Influence
Saudi foreign policy is designed by the King, not by the Foreign Minister. He has worked closely with King Khalid, King FahdFahd of Saudi Arabia
Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, was King of Saudi Arabia from 1982 to 2005...
and King Abdullah
Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is the King of Saudi Arabia. He succeeded to the throne on 1 August 2005 upon the death of his half-brother, King Fahd. When Crown Prince, he governed Saudi Arabia as regent from 1998 to 2005...
.
He was firmly anti-Soviet and is an Arab nationalist. He was more resistant to Israeli proposals than King Fahd. He lamented his legacy might be defined "by profound disappointment than by success". He regrets how his generation of leaders have failed to create a Palestinian state. He encouraged Iraqis to defend their country's sovereignty.
His relationship with King Fahd was strained. He is one of King Abdullah's closest allies. He has led Saudi Arabia's efforts to redefine its international image after the September 11 attacks. He is mentioned as a candidate to Saudi Arabia's line of succession
Line of succession to the Saudi Arabian Throne
The order of succession to the throne of Saudi Arabia is determined by, and within, the House of Saud. It follows agnatic seniority, but a prince may be surpassed or another elevated. The Allegiance Council was created in 2006 to facilitate the royal transfer of power.King Abdullah is the current...
. However he has recently suffered health deterioration. He does not hold majlis
Majlis
' , is an Arabic term meaning "a place of sitting", used in the context of "council", to describe various types of special gatherings among common interest groups be it administrative, social or religious in countries with linguistic or cultural connections to Islamic countries...
unlike other Saudi royals which has been cause for speculation that he is not interested in kingship.
Personal life
He is married, with three sons and three daughters. He is one of the trustees of the King Faisal FoundationKing Faisal Foundation
The King Faisal Foundation was established in 1976 by the sons of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. The Director-General is HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal...
. He lives in Jeddah.
He has been described (by the British Ministry of Defence) as "tall, handsome, and articulate". He is reportedly very friendly. Unlike other members of the Al Saud, he often speaks publicly and interacts a lot with reporters. He speaks excellent English. He likes to play tennis. He has Parkinson's disease and back pain. He recently returned home after having surgery in California. His physical appearance has shown signs of health deterioration and he has difficulty standing upright.
External links
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Saudis warn Iran that its nuclear plan risks disaster - The Times, January 16, 2006
- Interview in 1998 with The Financial Times
- Transcript from 2002 Interview with PBS frontline
- Transcript from 2005 Interviw with PBS frontline
- 2007? interview with Charlie Rose on Google Video