Ex- Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal dies

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Thursday his country was determined to confront what he called Iran’s internal meddling in the affairs of Arab states, saying Riyadh had already curbed Tehran’s efforts to expand its influence.

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.

Nawaf al-Faisal, a relative, announced the death on Facebook, while a foreign ministry spokesman also confirmed the death on Twitter and expressed condolences.

“May God accept him in paradise”, tweeted the prince’s nephew Saud Mohammed Al Abdullah Al Faisal.

“All the neighbourhood, if you will, will be at peace with Israel, will recognise their right to exist”.

Though the cause of his death is unknown, al-Faisal had a number of health complaints in recent years, including chronic back pain for which he had several surgeries.

The tall, stately Saud was a fixture in Mideast diplomacy since he was appointed to his post in 1975.