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Former Saudi foreign minister prince Saud al-Faisal dies Former Saudi foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal dies
(about 1 hour later)
Saudi Arabia’s prince Saud al-Faisal, who was the world’s longest-serving foreign minister, has died, according to family members and a foreign ministry spokesman. Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud al-Faisal, who was the world’s longest-serving foreign minister, has died, according to family members and a foreign ministry spokesman.
Prince Saud, who was born in 1940, was one of the highest profile members of Saudi’s ruling elite and steered the diplomacy of the world’s leading oil exporter for four decades before stepping down in April for health reasons. Faisal, who was born in 1940, was one of the highest-profile members of Saudi Arabia’s ruling elite and steered the diplomacy of the world’s leading oil exporter for four decades before stepping down in April for health reasons.
Related: Saudi Arabia reshuffle as king appoints nephew to crown prince postRelated: Saudi Arabia reshuffle as king appoints nephew to crown prince post
The prince oversaw Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a major diplomatic player, facing successive regional crises and maintaining a focus on relations with the west.The prince oversaw Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a major diplomatic player, facing successive regional crises and maintaining a focus on relations with the west.
Nawaf al-Faisal, a relative, announced the death on Facebook on Thursday, while a foreign ministry spokesman also confirmed the death on Twitter and expressed condolences.Nawaf al-Faisal, a relative, announced the death on Facebook on Thursday, while a foreign ministry spokesman also confirmed the death on Twitter and expressed condolences.
“I wish I could deny the rumour of the news of your death,” the spokesman Osama Nugali tweeted. “I wish I could deny the rumour of the news of your death,” the spokesman, Osama Nugali, tweeted.
Prince Saud’s nephew Saud Mohammed al-Abdullah al-Faisal also acknowledged the death of the veteran diplomat.Prince Saud’s nephew Saud Mohammed al-Abdullah al-Faisal also acknowledged the death of the veteran diplomat.
“May God accept him in paradise,” he wrote on Twitter.“May God accept him in paradise,” he wrote on Twitter.