Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud

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Prince Salman bin Abdul-Aziz
Minister of Defense
In office Since November 5, 2011
Predecessor Sultan, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia
Full name
Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud
House House of Saud
Religion Islam

Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud (Arabic: سلمان بن عبد العزيز آل سعود‎) (born 1936) is the Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia since November 5, 2011. He was the Governor of the Riyadh Province from 1962–2011, and is a prince of House of Saud. He is the fifth of the Sudairi Seven. He has a reputation for arbitrating disputes within the royal family. He has developed fame for his fairness and competence. He is the father of Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, the first Muslim, the first Arab and the first to be of royal blood to go to outer space.

Contents

[edit] Life

[edit] Governor of Riyadh

As Governor, Riyadh developed from a mid-sized town into a major urban metropolis. He has attracted tourism, capital projects, and foreign investment inside his country. He favors geopolitical and economic relationships with the West. He is a strong advocate for philanthropy in poor Muslim nations such as Somalia, Sudan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and more recently, Bosnia-Herzegovina.[1]

He is advised by young well-qualified technocrats recruited from King Saud University.[2] His legal counsel is William Jeffress Jr, of Houston-based Baker Botts LLP.[citation needed]

On November 22, 2010, he returned to Saudi Arabia from overseas treatment. He underwent spine surgery in the United States in August and remained out of the kingdom for recovery.[3]

In January 2011, he ordered action against Riyadh beggars "who try to take advantage of the generosity of people". All foreign beggars were deported and Saudi beggars were placed in a rehabilitation program by the Ministry of Social Affairs.[4]

[edit] Defence Minister

On November 5, 2011 Prince Salman was appointed Minister of Defense, replacing Crown Prince Sultan.[5] On the same day Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz was named as Governor of Riyadh.

[edit] Influence

Within the Al Saud, he has been viewed as a "kingmaker rather than a potential king". He is well regarded as intelligent and hard-working. He is a trusted mediator in settling royal conflicts amongst the extended Al Saud — estimated at 4,000 princes. His administration is reportedly corruption-free. He is a prominent figure of the royal council— which allows him to select which princes will be delegated which responsibilities of the Kingdom.[1][6]

He owns Asharq Al-Awsat.[7] Though he owns only 10% of Saudi Research and Marketing Group, he is often referred by auditors as its owner.[7] He reportedly controls the organization through his son Faisal.[7]

[edit] Personal life

He was married to Princess Sultana until her death in 2011.[8] His children include Fahd, Ahmed, Sultan, Abdul-Aziz, Faisal, Hussa, Saud, Muhammad, Turki, Khalid, Nayif, Bandar, and Rakan.[citation needed]

His oldest son Fahd died in 2001 because of heart failure. Ahmad died after a heart attack in 2002 at age 43.[9][10] Sultan is the first Muslim in space. Abdul-Aziz is the Assistant Minister of Petroleum.[11] Faisal is Chairman of the Saudi Research and Marketing Group.[6]

[edit] Philanthropy

His has established the Prince Salman Center for Disability Research and the Prince Fahd bin Salman Charitable Society for the Care of Kidney Patients.[12]

Preceded by
Badr bin Saud bin Abdulaziz
Governor of Riyadh
1962 – 2011
Succeeded by
Sattam bin Abdul Aziz
Preceded by
Sultan bin Abdulaziz
Minster of Defence
5 November 2011 – present
Succeeded by
incumbent

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/the-saudi-question/whos-who-the-house-of-saud/prince-salman-ibn-abdul-aziz/2871/
  2. ^ Kechichian, Joseph A. Succession in Saudi Arabia. New York: Palgrave, 2001. Print.
  3. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101121/wl_nm/us_saudi_king
  4. ^ "Riyadh Police round up 109 in Clampdown on Beggary." Arab News. 21 Jan. 2011. Web. 21 Jan. 2011. [1].
  5. ^ Saudi Arabia names Prince Salman as new defence minister
  6. ^ a b http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/pubPDFs/PolicyFocus96.pdf
  7. ^ a b c http://213.251.145.96/cable/2009/05/09RIYADH651.html
  8. ^ "Saudi Women Take First Aid Course." The Free Lance Star [Fredericksburg, Virginia] 29 Oct. 1990: 18. Print. [2]
  9. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20070310091042/http://www.saudiembassy.net/2001News/News/OthDetail.asp?cIndex=3106
  10. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/sports/horses/stories/2002-07-23-salman-funeral_x.htm
  11. ^ http://213.251.145.96/cable/2008/07/08RIYADH1175.html
  12. ^ News, Arab. "Prince Salman Resumes Duties at Governorate - Arab News." Home - Arab News. 23 Nov. 2010. Web. 21 Jan. 2011. [3].
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