In this Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 file photo, former Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal waits to greet U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as Kerry arrives at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Pool Photo via AP, File)
“Prince Saud Bin Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud passed into God’s mercy in the United States on Thursday. The Saudi people, Arab and Islamic nations, and entire world knew Prince Saud over five decades he spent serving his homeland and religion with all devotion and sincerity. Prince Saud, may he rest in peace, sacrificed his health in the service of his nation to achieve the objectives of his leadership and the Saudi people,” a royal court statement said.
Prince Saud was the world’s longest-serving foreign minister. His tenure lasted for 40 years until he was replaced by Adel Al-Jubeir on April 29, 2015.
Born in 1940 in Taif, Prince Saud was the second son of King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
He graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor degree in economics in 1964. He held several positions at the Ministry of Petroleum before he moved to the general organization for petroleum and mineral resources. In 1970 Prince Saud was appointed as deputy minister of petroleum.
In 1975, King Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a royal decree appointing Prince Saud as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, succeeding his late father who held the foreign portfolio in addition to his duties as the monarch of Saudi Arabia.
In appreciation of his political influence and patriotic role, Prince Saud was appointed as a minister of state, a member of the council of ministers, adviser and special envoy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and overseer of foreign affairs by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud earlier this year.
Fluent in seven languages, in addition to Arabic, the veteran diplomat was well-read and gained the respect of world leaders and politicians who often described him as a tireless defender of the rights of Muslims and Arabs.
In January he traveled to the US where he underwent a successful back surgery. He returned to the Kingdom in March to resume his duties. Despite his long years of service, Prince Saud requested in April that he be relieved of his post due to health issues.
Funeral prayers for Prince Saud are set to be held at the Grand Mosque of Mecca after evening prayers on Saturday, according to the royal court.