Saudi- The doyen of diplomacy

(MENAFN- Arab News) A few days before Operation Decisive Storm was launched reflecting the strong Saudi position toward Yemen's legitimate government Prince Saud Al-Faisal said that if its legitimacy was not restored by peaceful means Saudi Arabia would take measures to protect the region from Houthi aggression.
Prince Saud the former minister of foreign affairs made his statement on March 24 during a joint press conference with Philip Hammond Britain's secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs in Riyadh in the presence of local and international media.
Following the statement Custodian of the Holy Mosques King Salman launched Decisive Storm with Saudi Arabia leading coalition against the Houthi militias in Yemen.
Prince Saud was known at home and abroad for the taking right decision at the right time. As an architect of Saudi foreign policy for four decades he was a highly regarded diplomat who guided Saudi Arabia's foreign relations during peaceful and turbulent times across the globe without sacrificing the Kingdom's national interests.
Veteran diplomat Pablo Bravo former Spanish ambassador to Saudi Arabia described Prince Saud as a mentor and source of inspiration to many in understanding the foreign policy dynamics of Saudi Arabia.
'The doyen of the ministers of foreign affairs worldwide leaves' he said adding that 'the decision follows the request made by the prince himself on health grounds.'
Referring to his distinguished diplomatic career from October 13 1975 to April 29 2015 Prince Saud spent 40 years at the head of Saudi diplomacy and served four kings. Son of King Faisal Prince Saud graduated from Princeton University in economics before he launched his state career at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources where he was deputy minister.
'Today I wish to pay a small tribute to his personality from close quarters as I had to deal with him regularly during my two terms in Saudi Arabia' Bravo told Arab News.
The Spanish envoy observed: 'The English described him as a tall handsome and articulate diplomat. I would agree that he possesses innate elegance and manners that are par excellence. But above all he has a solid mind and a wealth of experience which made his presence useful at the same time.'
He continued: 'I remember with special affection that at the end of my posting I went to bid him goodbye and announce to him my retirement. He looked straight into my eyes and said in his soft and refined English: 'Now I envy you Mr. Ambassador. I have been fighting for that too but as you can see without success.'
'I reminded him that in my first posting in the Kingdom in 1981 I had a chance to meet him that day and now I have the honor of saying goodbye. He looked at me once more with nostalgia and said 'Yes and yet I remain.''
Bravo continued: 'I wish to thank him for the affection. Finally I think he perceived my emotions when he said that my stay in Saudi Arabia had been very positive which at first I took as a courtesy compliment until he cited some chapters issues and events that showed that he was up to date on my activities. He could have sourced the information from notes put together by his staff for the meeting. His reflections also show his deep affection toward Spain.'
Prince Saud is highly regarded among the world's diplomats and leaders. As foreign minister he actively pursued peace and promoted dialogue in the region and around the world. He led the Saudi delegation in Middle East peace talks and participated in pan-Arab efforts to end the civil war in Lebanon. He supported enhanced north-south cooperation and a focus on economic and social development.
He has also participated in the US-Saudi strategic dialogue to institutionalize cooperation between the two countries
According to a local writer Prince Saud is known to be an honest and trusted diplomat. He sticks to moral principles and humanitarian values. For him integrity is of supreme value. Prince Saud is firm in dealing with major political issues affecting Arab-Muslim issues whatever the pressures and how ever long and complicated the circumstances. This principle and behavior is rarely seen especially if there are interests and benefits.
Prince Saud's outstanding achievements can be summed up easily through his conferences meetings statements decisions dialogues and visits. His clarity of vision is one of the reasons for him remaining a superstar in local regional and international circles for decades.