Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
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Bandar bin Abdulaziz | |||||
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Born | 1923 (age 100–101) Riyadh | ||||
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House | House of Saud | ||||
Father | King Abdulaziz | ||||
Mother | Bazzah | ||||
Religion | Islam |
Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (born 1923) is the eldest living son of King Abdulaziz.
Early life
Saud was born in Riyadh in 1923.[1][2] However, Talal Kapoor reports his birth year as 1921.[3] His mother was a Syrian or a Moroccan woman, Bazzah (died 1940).[4][5]
His full brother was Prince Fawwaz. Bandar is the eleventh son of King Abdulaziz.[6]
Career and business activities
Saud's only official post to date has been as Director General of the Interior Ministry. His various business concerns include Tabuk Cement Co. and Riyadh Recreational Hotels Co.[1]
Succession
Reluctance to partake in government may reflect why Bandar stepped from the royalty succession. His only governmental service was the director general of the Interior Ministry.[1] The other reason may be that his mother is a Moroccan.[7]
Opposition to Prince Sultan's appointment as second deputy prime minister by King Fahd in 1982 came in particular from two half brothers, Musaid and Bandar, both of whom were older than Sultan, who was reportedly born in 1924.[7] Musaid's reaction was ignored because it was his son who had assassinated King Faisal in 1975. Bandar's interests, however, were more difficult to neglect. Not only did he want to be the next in line but he also wanted Sultan's job as minister of defense and aviation.[7] As a result, a family dispute arose, and Bandar's claim concerning the Defense Ministry was rejected due to the fact that he had no previous administrative experience. As compensation, however, two of his sons were given important jobs: Mansour bin Bandar was made the commander of the Jeddah Air Base and Faisal bin Bandar the governor of Al-Qassim Province.[7]
Personal life
Saud's sons have served in both governmental and military posts. His son, Faisal, was previously deputy governor of Asir Province.[8] He has been the governor of Al-Qassim Region since 1992. Another son, Abdulaziz, was deputy chief of Intelligence Presidency and his term lasted until 5 October 2012, when he resigned from the post.[9][10][11] Bandar's third son, Khalid bin Bandar, is President of General Intelligence and was the governor of Riyadh Province[12] and was previously a Lieutenant general and the commander of the Royal Land Forces.[13][14] A fourth son, Mansour, is an air force officer.[7] He served as the commander of the F-15 squadron at the Dhahran airbase in early 1980s.[8] It is reported that Mansour had intense business contacts with Turki bin Nasser while both serving in the royal air force. It is further argued that Mansour declined the change of his post as the base commander in Taif due to his business activities in the Eastern Province.[8]
In accordance with both family and tribal tradition, Bandar is believed to enjoy a great deal of influence in the Kingdom.[15]
References
- ^ a b c Sharif, Sabri (2001). The House of Saud in Commerce: A Study of Royal Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. New Delhi: I. S. Publication. ISBN 81-901254-0-0.
- ^ "9 Saudi challenges". Zawya. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
- ^ Kapoor, Talal (8 October 2012). "Succession Issues - A Generational Change In Dynamic". Datarabia. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
- ^ "Biography of Bazzah". Datarabia. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ Henderson, Simon (1994). "After King Fahd" (Policy Paper). Washington Institute. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
- ^ Mouline, Nabil (April–June 2012). "Power and generatıonal transıtıon ın Saudi Arabia" (PDF). Critique Internationale. 46: 1–22. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Henderson, Simon (August 2009). "After King Abdullah. Succession in Saudi Arabia" (PDF). Policy Focus. 96.
- ^ a b c "The role of Saudi princes in uniform". Wikileaks. 27 May 1985. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia replaces deputy chief of intelligence". Al Arabiya. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ "U.S. President congratulates Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques". Ain al Yaqeen. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- ^ "Prince Abd alaziz bin Bandar Relieved of Post". Saudi Press Agency. Jeddah. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- ^ "Saudi king names Prince Khalid bin Bandar as new Riyadh governor". Middle East Online. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- ^ "Prince Khalid bin Bandar in Turkey". Saudi Press Agency. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
- ^ "Khaled appointed Riyadh governor, Turki his deputy". Arab News. Jeddah. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ "Probe launched against religious affairs ministry". The Express Tribune. 8 November 2010.