“Opposition sources in Saudi Arabia say that the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Saud Al-Faisal will be removed from his post, following the removal of the Saudi spy chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan. The sources said that the ouster of Faisal would constitute the second step of changes at the ruling family’s key positions. A possible scenario could be that Faisal submits his resignation in the coming days, the sources also said. Having held the position since 1975, Faisal is regarded as the world’s longest serving foreign minister. The decision to remove Faisal has reportedly been delayed due to a lack of suitable candidate for the post. One of Saudi King Abdullah’s sons is said to be among the major candidates for the position……………..”
This report is from Iran’s Press TV, so it pays to take it with a grain of salt. Yet there is at least a grain of truth in it. Other media have also reported the prince ailing in recent years, and he looks it. It is not clear how much of his recent sour disposition is a result of failures in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon.
In the United States when an incumbent president runs for reelection, his supporters often chant: “Four more years, four more years”. This does not wash with Saudi princes who last in office for decades. The job is their turf; part of their inheritance. Prince Saudi Al Faisal has been at the job for about forty years, and he is reported to be ailing. Anyone who wants him to continue might have to chant: “forty more years, forty more years”. Which sounds absurd for a man in his seventies. The king has already appointed one of his sons as a deputy foreign minister.
Cheers
mhg
