RIYADH: Former Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal died on Thursday, Saudi Arabian sources and media close to the kingdom’s ruling family reported
, two months after he was replaced following four decades in the job.
Prince Saud, who was 75, was the world’s longest-serving foreign minister when replaced on April 29 by Adel al-Jubeir, the then-ambassador to Washington. The Al-Arabiya channel, which is close to King Salman’s branch of the ruling family, confirmed the news.
Prince Saud retained an influential position in Saudi foreign policy circles even after his replacement, serving as an official adviser to King Salman, who took power in January, and was sometimes present when foreign leaders met the monarch.
In Washington, President Barack Obama expressed his deep condolences on Prince Saud’s death.