Saudi Arabia: Saud Al-Faisal back at work

Veteran foreign minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal has returned to work following back surgery in January and, on 9 March, was again sworn in to office, this time in front of King Salman Bin Abdelaziz. Appointed state minister for foreign affairs by King Khalid in 1975, the same year his father was assassinated, Prince Saud’s 40-years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have seen him swear allegiance to four different kings – Khalid, Fahd, Abdullah and Salman; now in his mid-70s, there have long been suggestions he is ready to retire, but it is still not clear who has the competence to succeed him.