Reports indicate that Saud al-Faisal, the former Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, passed away on Thursday, July 9. He served as the Foreign Minister for 40 years and was removed from this position two months prior. According to Reuters, Saud al-Faisal was appointed as Foreign Minister in 1975 and played a significant role in shaping the position of this wealthy country regarding many crises in the Middle East. Following his dismissal, Adel al-Jubeir, the former Saudi ambassador to the United States, replaced him as Foreign Minister. Saud al-Faisal was born in 1940. He was the second son of King Faisal bin Abdulaziz and the nephew of the new King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. Saud al-Faisal had considerable influence in Saudi diplomacy and foreign policy, and even after being removed from office, he continued to serve as an advisor to the King of Saudi Arabia and was involved in foreign relations. Even before the events known as the Arab Spring in 2011, Saud al-Faisal played an important role in the Middle East. When he was appointed as Foreign Minister in October 1975, neither Egypt nor Israel had made peace, nor had Yasser Arafat established the Palestinian resistance movement. The Shah of Iran was in power, and a young Saddam Hussein was rising in Iraq. Saud al-Faisal was present during Israel's attacks on Lebanon in 1978, 1982, and 2006. He witnessed the Palestinian intifadas in 1987 and 2000, the Iraqi invasion of Iran in 1980, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and the liberation of Kuwait in 2003.
Saudi Arabia's Former Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal Passes Away
Saud al-Faisal, the long-serving Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, has died at the age of 83. His tenure spanned significant events in Middle Eastern history, and he remained influential in Saudi foreign policy even after his dismissal. His passing marks the end of an era in Saudi diplomacy.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Saud al-Faisal, the long-serving Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, passed away at the age of 83. His death marks the end of a significant era in Saudi diplomacy, as he had been a key figure in the region's foreign relations for 40 years.
- Saud al-Faisal served as Foreign Minister from 1975 until his dismissal in 2015.
- He was involved in many pivotal Middle Eastern events, including the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Gulf Wars.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Saud al-Faisal was a prominent figure in Middle Eastern diplomacy for decades, witnessing and influencing major historical events. His long tenure reflects the complexities of Saudi foreign relations, particularly with Iran.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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