WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The President noted that that Al Saud advanced the goals of peace throughout the world as he witnessed the end of Lebanon’s civil war and the advancing of the Arab Peace Initiative.
“On behalf of the American people, I express my deep condolences to the family of Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, to King Salman, and to the people of Saudi Arabia on the loss of such a committed and accomplished diplomat.”
Obama noted that many Americans have learned much from Saud’s “thoughtful perspective, charisma and poise, and diplomatic skill” in the Saudi prince’s commitment to the US-Saudi relationship, and in his work to achieve stability in the Middle East and the world.
In April 2015, Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud replaced Prince Saud al-Faisal with Adel al-Jubeir, who has served as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States since 2007.
King Salman took over Saudi Arabia in late January 2015 after the death of his half-brother, King Adbullah.
The 79-year-old monarch ordered a major cabinet reshuffle shortly after coming to power, replacing the heads of nine ministries, but keeping the long-time serving ministers for finance, oil and foreign affairs.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s few remaining absolute monarchies.
