| Prince Salman bin Abdul-Aziz | |
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| 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.
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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.
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]
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.
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]
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.
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]
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 |