Prince Nawaf ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud

Prince Nawaf bin Abdul Aziz was named the new Chief of the General Intelligence in September 2001. The surprise departure of veteran head of Saudi General Intelligence Prince Turki Al-Faisal Bin Abdelaziz on 31 August came only four months after King Fahd had issued a Royal Decree reconfirming him in the post for four more years. His close ties to Crown Prince Abdallah made him a useful ally and a bulwark against Prince Sultan's influence.

Nawaf, because an Armenian mothered him, is unlikely to feature in the succession stakes and thus does not threaten other candidates. Prince Nawaf, whose mother was Munayir umm Talal, received his primary Arabic and Islamic education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He also obtained his university education in Islamic Civilization in the Kingdom and completed his higher studies in the United States.

Prince Nawaf was named by his father, King Abdul Aziz, as Commander of the National Guard despite his youthful age at that time. He also served as the Chief of the Royal Court during the era of the late King Saud, and later was appointed by him as Minister of Finance for some years.

In view of his experience in various spheres, the late King Faisal used to send his to participate in official delegations of the Kingdom at various meetings, including Arab and Islamic summits and meetings of the Non-Aligned countries. He also used to lead the Kingdom's delegations on behalf of King Faisal or work as his Special Envoy. Prince Nawaf is thoroughly familiar with international policy and law, and is also an expert on Middle East affairs. In 1968, following the evacuation of the British forces from the Gulf Region, King Faisal named him as one of his Special Advisors. He did his best to unify the ranks of the Arab Emirates and to integrate these Emirates into one state following their partitions into seven tiny states during the colonial rule.

In view of his rich experience in economic and political spheres, Prince Nawaf was delegated to serve as the Saudi Government's Official Spokesman and its Special Envoy on several occasions. He visited the four corners of the world and positively contributed to the settlement of numerous disputes in Africa and the Middle East as well as in other parts of the world.

Prince Nawaf also contributed to the establishment of some industrial projects inside and outside the Kingdom to serve the Arab economy. His contribution to the strengthening of the Kingdom's relations with other world states is widely respected. Prince Nawaf is one of the founders and a major shareholder of the Saudi-New Zealand Bank. His highness also owns some investment projects in the field of real estate and tourism. He is one of the pioneers of the solar energy industry. Realizing the importance of solar energy, Prince Nawaf extended moral and material support to Sydney University in Australia to enable it to conduct research and studies in this sphere.

For many years, Prince Nawaf has been dedicating his efforts in the service of the Arab, Islamic and international causes. He was earlier assigned to lead the Kingdom's delegation to Argentine, Japan and a number of Arab countries. He used to accompany Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, during his official foreign trips.

In March 2002 Prince Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, a member of the official delegation to the 14th Summit of the League of Arab States, was admitted to the American University hospital in Beirut after suddenly suffering a stroke. Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz visited his brother, and was reassured by physicians, who said Prince Nawaf will soon be discharged.