I was asked: what is your opinion of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz’s decision to appoint Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz to the position of second deputy prime minister in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?

My answer was that I wanted to know the opinion’s of those providing analyses and theories that are far removed from reality. Even the names of Saudi princes that were mentioned in these reports contained amusing mistakes just like the hilarious way that movies produced in the West deal with Arab characters! Over the years we have become accustomed to reading analyses, which, to say the very least, have been entertaining, but also demonstrate a strong lack of accurate information. Every time a resolution is issued, in Saudi in particular, it is interpreted in a way that completely contradicts reality, and this is something that we witnessed before and after the establishment of the Allegiance Council.

The decision to appoint Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz second deputy prime minister can be considered a continuation of Saudi resolutions manifested in the Basic Law of Governance, which has gained transparency, providing stability to Saudis and reassuring them of their future.

The position of deputy prime minister was introduced during the reign of the late King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz, may God rest his soul. At the time, he appointed the then Prince Fahd Bin Abdulaziz, may he rest in peace, [to the position of deputy prime minister]. In 1992, King Fahd issued the Basic Law of Governance in Saudi Arabia, which officially stated that the King has the right to appoint a deputy prime minister.

Then came the establishment of the Allegiance Council. This was a big step for Saudi Arabia, as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz presented this as part of a series of decisive resolutions regarding the organizing of the House of Saud. The Saudi nation would clearly know its King, Crown Prince and deputy prime minister.

Therefore, King Abdullah’s decision to appoint Prince Naif is the continuation of important resolutions issued by the Saudi monarch ever since he took over the reigns of power. It is also evidence of Saudi stability and that the country is following a consistent course.

What is most important about the Saudi King’s decision is the person of choice; Prince Naif is the man who has been dealing with the very sensitive issue of security, especially over the last decade, as he is the Interior Minister of the kingdom and most of our problems, or the problems of the world at large, are related to security. Saudi security has achieved many major, notable successes that the entire world, not only Saudi Arabia, has seen for itself in the way that Saudi security authorities are dealing with terrorism without violating the sanctity of the country and its people.

Prince Naif is the top man for security and is a statesman in the true sense of the word and the Saudis have gotten to know him on various levels; through the Interior Ministry, the Hajj pilgrimage seasons and through other matters with which he has been entrusted.

Prince Naif is a man of experience and has gained such experience through numerous fragile and thorny political issues over many years. He has listened fervently to the concerns of his people, and whoever has worked with him knows how patient he is and that he has faith in the importance of transparency and communication with the media and Saudi society.

Therefore, the appointment of Prince Naif as second deputy prime minister is a source of relief and stability for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a continuation of the reorganizing of the Saudi “House” from within, which has been taking place ever since King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz came to power.