Q: Your Royal Highness, all of a sudden you’re eager to talk. Why?

AL-WALEED: Yes. (Inaudible). Yes, I met you almost two week ago. And I -- I told you I was not prepared to talk yet about what took place. However, in this last 10 -- one week to 10 days, a lot of false articles were written in certain newspapers, like Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. And unfortunately, they were reported by CNBC.

And they were all false, wrong and they were based on innuendo, rumors and heresy. And that’s why I wanted to verify my position and also the position of Saudi Arabia. Although I don’t represent Saudi Arabia, but I’m Saudi citizen and I will not accept anything -- not even one iota of having Saudi Arabia being touched with such false rumors, innuendo and heresy.

So I’m here today to clarify things to you through Bloomberg and give you all the facts on my behalf and to clarify as much as I can, my position.

Q: What specifically was false or heretical or rumor mongering?

AL-WALEED: Well, let’s begin with the BBC report a few months ago when I was in -- in -- in detention. Whereby BBC have shown a person -- I will not dignify his name by saying it -- by lying, blatantly lying and saying that he met me and he -- he -- he saw me in -- in a prison. And he heard the -- the gates cells moving. Which is just false. I didn’t meet him. I -- I met him two days ago last time.

So these were completely false and rumors. And -- and he said that he believe I was tortured. Which is complete lie. And he -- the other lie was also when he said that I -- I -- I talked to him through Skype. Which is also lie, because I never use Skype in my life. Not even once. And to add to that, the -- the latest article in Wall Street Journal, whereby they said that, you know, the government had the veto power on -- on the dealings of Kingdom Holding and said that I personally cannot do any more deals regionally, locally, internationally.

And -- and the latest lie was -- see, unfortunately I’m using the word lie. It’s not anymore false information when they said that -- that the government of Saudi Arabia has stopped the one mile tower -- one -- one kilometer tower being constructed in Jeddah and they moved everybody to the Neom project. And I have letter right now from me -- in front of me right now, here, signed by the Binladin Group who are the contractors.

But what’s important is not that they sign -- was signed by Binladin, but was signed by the government official who right now runs the Binladin Group. But it says the following. Saudi Binladin Group would like to assures Jeddah Economic Company that it remains committed to the completion of Jeddah project. And this guy is government representative.

Who is -- right now is -- who is running the show in the Binladin Group. Also after that, the New York Times article, which was full of false information. Add to that also -- also what’s written in the Forbes, by having Forbes, you know, taking all Saudis completely from the list. Which any -- was wrong anyway to begin with. Bloomberg -- this is a lot better and more credible than theirs.

So really, there’s a lot of rumors, innuendo, heresy and lies on both sides. Left -- which is really the left medias, the CNBC and New York Times and unfortunately, right -- on the right also is the -- is the -- is the Wall Street Journal and the Forbes. And unfortunately also in the center, the BBC. So all these really just began writing a lot of fake news. And now I’m beginning to understand what President Trump is saying by saying fake news.

So now I’m beginning to understand what he means by that. So I agree with you Mr. Trump, there’s a lot of fake news around there.

Q: So you feel you need to speak out to what? To clear your name? To -- because you’ve been maligned.

AL-WALEED: No, no. No, I need to clear my name, number one. And to clear up a lot of the lies. For example, when they said that I was tortured, I was sent to a prison, you know, during my 83 plus days in -- in -- in the Ritz-Carlton hotel. And all these were lies. I stayed all time there. I was never tortured. Actually, was given the best service, to be honest with you, by the Saudi government. Frankly speaking.

Doctors used to come twice a day. We had the best food service -- best food, best everything. During our (ph) (inaudible). So -- so really, it hurts me to -- to hear all these rumors and innuendos and heresies.

Q: Your Royal Highness, you’re one of only two people out of hundreds detained in the Ritz-Carlton to speak publically since being released. Why aren’t more people talking?

AL-WALEED: Well you know, look, Saudis are shy in general. Even pre-Ritz era. Tell me who in the Saudi business community used to talk publicly and go in the international arena. Not much, frankly speaking. They are -- much of them are localized or at best, they are regionalized. So really, in my case, I have a lot of connections with the western media, Bloomberg and others. And that’s why -- you know, since long time I’ve been public in -- in what I say.

So -- so it is not really that much strange and weird that none of them talk. Because they -- they didn’t talk in -- in -- in the -- in the -- in the pre-Ritz era, so why would they talk in the post-Ritz era? But I would encourage them to, frankly speaking. Although some of them did talk publicly and nationally. Some of them issued videos, talking about very reaching (ph) out publicly about -- about what happened in the Ritz.

And all denied any -- any -- I think of this torture that -- that’s been circulating now all over the place.

Q: Your Highness -- Your Royal Highness, take me back to the night of November the fourth. You were at your desert camp.

AL-WALEED: Yes.

Q: Then what happened?

AL-WALEED: Actually, you were there a week before. Remember that?

Q: I was.

AL-WALEED: Yes. So I was in desert. I received a call just around 3:00 am or 4:00 am in the morning by high ranking government official who was my friend and said that the king and the crown prince would like -- would like you to be -- to come to the royal palace for a message from the higher authority, who’s the king and the crown prince. So I said for sure. You know, I am a member royal family and I obey the rules and obey the instructions of my king and my crown prince.

So immediately I left with my -- with my car to -- to the royal palace I was met there by the government officials and I was told that -- that the king’s order and the crown prince’s wish is that I -- I -- I go to the Ritz-Carlton hotel for -- for some discussions and talks about certain matters. I said I will come that. (ph) You know, I’m in my country and whatever is asked from me, I accept and obey.

So we -- we just left to the Ritz-Carlton with a actually huge motorcade. I’ve never been a motorcade like this in my life, you know? So we went there and we were -- we were --

Q: With -- with whom?

AL-WALEED: I went with Al-Oyahn (ph), with the -- with the -- with the person who invited me to be there. So we went there and we were welcome there and we were given the suite over there until the discussions began with the government.

Q: Did you have any reason to suspect that there would be a roundup or that you would be part of it?

AL-WALEED: Frankly speaking, no. Not at all. But when I was called at 3:00 am, 4 o’clock in the morning, clearly I thought – was expecting something different. Something is not -- not usual. Clearly.

Q: Doesn’t happen every week.

AL-WALEED: No. You know -- you know, whenever I go to the king or the king asks -- asks to -- to -- to meet me, it’s usually early in the night. But Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the crown prince, you know, he stays late, almost 24 hours. He works like me, you know, almost continuously. So really, I always expect calls from him even late at night and we always text and communicate and -- very late, very late at night and early in the morning.

Q: When did you find out that you would be staying at the Ritz-Carlton for much longer than you thought? And tell me what went through your head at that moment.

AL-WALEED: Yes. Well, strange enough, because the first time anybody was -- it was report in Bloomberg. Because over there, we had all the channels, obviously. And Bloomberg was among them. So it was reported in Bloomberg that some Saudis were detained, some government officials and some members of the royal family --

Q: And you.

AL-WALEED: -- and -- and many of my peers. Many of my peers. The -- I actually was the first one appeared there. So I -- I knew what -- what was developing at that time.

Q: Sure.

AL-WALEED: It was the same night.

Q: OK, but you’re in the hotel. At what point did you realize I could be here for days, I could be here for weeks? How -- when -- when -- when did you figure that out?

AL-WALEED: You know, really -- you know, frankly speaking, look, I’m very nationalist. I’m very patriotic. And really, I took it very easy, frankly speaking. When I was there, I really felt at home. And that’s very strange to say, frankly speaking. You know, I’m in Saudi Arabia, all right? So -- and I was at the Ritz-Carlton. And clearly, I knew that this was going to take some time. It wasn’t going to finish quickly.

Because I -- I read that this was a very much anti-corruption oriented project. But I felt comforted because I -- I just review myself, I said. And there was nothing in my life that directs me into any financial dealings or corruption that could be against me. So I was very much at ease. Now clearly, I’m very much anti-corruption person. Because if you can look at my tweets in the last three, four years, they were very much oriented against -- against -- against corruption.

And I did name very specific cases in my tweets. So I was at ease. I was comfortable that eventually I’d be vindicated and things would be clarified.

Q: Why were you arrested in the first place?

AL-WALEED: Well, I would not use the work arrested. Because frankly speaking, we were invited to king’s house and then asked to go to the Ritz-Carlton. So it was done with very much honor, dignity and -- and -- and with the -- our prestige was maintained very well. Not only me, frankly speaking. Everybody else. So -- so -- and we were there, obviously, for 83 days until the whole matter was resolved. And then I left.

Q: Why not use the word arrested, though, if you were held against your will?

AL-WALEED: Well, look, if this arrest or the so-called arrest culminated in an accusation or in -- in -- in incrimination, then yes, the word arrest should be used. But when you are -- when you are vindicated and left and kept free -- and right now we are in communication with the high authorities in the government. Be (ph) -- and that’s my picture with the king, you know, after I left.

And I have continuous communication with Prince Mohammad bin Salman and his people. I not consider that arrest.

Q: So -- so the word arrest is fair to use for those who did commit a crime, admit their guilt --

AL-WALEED: Exactly. And reached a settlement with the government. But in my case, you know, it’s -- it’s very much different, frankly speaking.

Q: So there were never any charges? Were you ever accused of anything?

AL-WALEED: There was not -- look, I cannot dwell into what happened but there was no charges for sure. Because, you know, I have a pretty sure (ph) responsibility to my shareholders in Kingdom Holding, to my friends in Saudi Arabia and to whole community. And to the international community, the banking industry, to the business community and the world, to the Buffetts of the world, to the Bill Gates of the world, to the Blankfeins of the world, the copus (ph) of the world, et cetera.

Because you know, we have international investments all over the place. So it’s very important to say that there was zero accusation and zero guilt from myself.

Q: You’ve described the whole ordeal as a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding over what?

AL-WALEED: Good. That was in the Reuters meeting. The Reuters meeting happened somewhere between 10:00 pm, 11 o’clock pm on the night before I left -- I left around 11 o’clock in the morning, so there was 12 hour gap here. I believe that me being at that detention was clearly a misunderstanding. Because I don’t belong with there frankly speaking. And I told them I don’t belong there. Because -- I’m the only one who is not member of the government -- and although a member of royal family, but not member of the government.

Or among all those princes. So -- and thanks god I was not member of the government, because I didn’t have any chance to -- to be corrupted and -- you know, I am anti-corruption person completely. Oh, and I say misunderstanding because I believe I should not be there. However, right now, after I left, I would say that -- that I’ve been vindicated. Yet, I have to confess to you for the first time is that yes, we do have with the government a confirmed understanding going forward.

Q: What does that mean?

AL-WALEED: It is very confidential. I cannot get into that. But there is a confirmed understanding between the government of Saudi Arabia, between the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and me personally.

Q: Does that require you to do certain things?

AL-WALEED: Not necessarily. I just -- I cannot dwell into that, because it is confidential and secret between me and the government. But rest assured that this does not really handcuff me, does not handcuff Kingdom Holding, it does not handcuff our operations, does not handcuff our operations, does not handcuff my -- my private -- my -- my -- my private -- private office affairs and does not handcuff my oil (ph) operation and my (inaudible) operation. Completely.

Because we are four entities, are separate and independent. Kingdom Holding, (inaudible), my private office and Rotana.

Q: This understanding, arrangement that you have with the government, was your exit from the Ritz-Carlton contingent on your agreeing to them?

AL-WALEED: Not necessarily, that’s just the reputation of it. No, not necessarily. Is -- look, there was a data (ph) between me and the government -- there was a discussion between me and the higher authorities, without naming names. But this is the culmination about all this discussion that we had. And it took, you know, around 83 days to really keep discussing and you know. And I was not pushing, frankly speaking.

You know? I was not pushing to leave. I was not pushing to just exit the whole thing fast. I was -- I told them that, you know, I’m in Saudi Arabia, I’m in my territory and I’m not being detained in downtown Tehran or downtown Sana’a, I am in my territory. So I’m happy, I’m -- I’m -- I’m not -- I mean, I would rather be outside. I’m not going to come and tell you I would rather be inside, for sure. That would not be -- that would be fake news if I say that to you.

So I wanted to be out, but yet I’d say I’m not a rush. I know I’m going to be out sooner or later. So whether it’s 83 days or 100 days or 120 days, I’d be out eventually because my relationship with the government of Saudi Arabia and the king -- Salman is my cousin is ideal and perfect during and after the process.

Q: So this is not a settlement, it’s an agreement. Is it a signed document as well?

AL-WALEED: Yes. We signed something but it is -- yes, it was signed but it is really a -- based on mutual understanding between us.

Q: Why were you in the Ritz-Carlton for so long?

AL-WALEED: Well, you know, you have to ask the government, not me, frankly speaking. You know, I don’t believe I belong there at all. So -- you know, I am almost always in agreement with my government, but not necessarily all the time. For example, I give advice to the government in certain incidents and certain cases and sometimes listen to me and sometimes they don’t. Just like they give me advice on certain things and I listen at times, sometimes I don’t.

So -- so there’s an interaction between me and the government continuously. Now on that particular subject, I don’t believe I should have been there. Yet I am there, I respect the government, I accept what they said and I’m under the support of Saudi Arabia under the king and crown prince.

Q: What did the government want from you? Did they ever make that clear?

AL-WALEED: Well, you know, I will not dwell into the discussion that took place between me and -- between me and the government of Saudi Arabia and through their representatives.

Q: They must have wanted something, though.

AL-WALEED: No. I read -- I read what’s written -- what was written, you know that they want a chunk of A or B or C of what I have. You know, and this -- this was all rumors --

Q: According to one report, it was $6 billion.

AL-WALEED: Oh, yes. I read $6 billion, I read more than that, less than that, I understand. Though, frankly speaking, you know, all these are rumors. But I will not dwell into the arrangement between me and the government.

Q: Did it cost you anything to leave?

AL-WALEED: I will not comment on the content of the agreement between me and the government.

Q: No, but what I’m asking is did you have to pay the government any money, did you have to hand over any land, did you have to surrender any shares --

AL-WALEED: When I -- when I say it’s a confidential and secret agreement -- an arrangement that is based on confirmed understanding between me and the government of Saudi Arabia, I have to respect that. And look -- look, I’m a Saudi citizen, right? But I’m a member of the royal family. You know, the king is my uncle. Salman is my cousin. And this is rule of Saudi Arabia. King Abdulaziz, you know, established Saudi Arabia, correct?

So my interest is really to maintain this -- this kingdom, this kingdom of Saudi Arabia and obviously my kingdom also. And to maintain the relationship between -- between -- between me and them and have it, you know, unscratched completely.

Q: You understand, of course, why I’m asking this question?

AL-WALEED: Sure. Sure.

Q: There are people, fellow detainees who signed settlements and paid large fines. I want to know whether you’re in the same boat or whether you’re in a different camp.

AL-WALEED: Look, that’s why I didn’t want to be in that case. Because some of those people who are there -- I’m not going to name names, but I know them. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, maybe -- maybe quite a bit of them, that they really did commit crimes -- did commit crime of theft. And they were involved in bribes and they involved in -- in stealing funds from the government. We all know them very well. I know them.

And I -- I’m -- I’m for having these people there. And I am for the anti-corruption that took place in Saudi Arabia. Now unfortunately, I was added to that group. But fortunately, I’m out of it right now and life is back to normal. So I’m not the person going to come and say, you know, I -- I forgive but don’t forget. I say I forgive and I forget the same time also.

Q: I also want to know if you retain control of your companies, whether you’re still a 95 percent shareholder in Kingdom Holding, whether you still own Rotana, your media company, whether you’re still in control of your personal investment portfolio.

AL-WALEED: Let me assure you -- look, I am -- at Kingdom Holding, I am the chairman. Obviously, you know, I did give the power to -- to our new CEO, Talal Maiman, more than year ago. And also, I empower the -- I believe in front (ph) of his leader of there to manage the process. And my private office and Rotana. So they all have been empowered long time before I went to the Ritz. I’m really the chairman -- like the owner, chairman, frankly speaking, all of them.

And they’re all functioning as usual. Even when I was in detention, there were still functioning. And there is blessing in disguise, really. It was conclusive proof that all these operations, whether Kingdom Holding or (inaudible) or my private office or the Rotana, they’re functioning as normal as possible even in my -- my absence.

Q: But are you still the controlling shareholder?

AL-WALEED: Look, very simple -- very simple method. You can go -- look, Kingdom Holding is being publicly traded in Saudi Arabia. And Saudi Arabia’s part of G20. And our stock market is very transparent. Actually, very as transparent as United States. So please, you can go to the -- to the -- to the list of holdings. And you look there, how much is my holding there.

You can see it’s 95 percent. So you go there, you what is right now and you can verify that independently.

Q: Your Royal Highness, you maintain your innocence, you say that you didn’t sign a settlement acknowledging guilt and that you are different, if you will, from many of the other people who were --

AL-WALEED: No, no, but -- no, but we signed a confirmed understanding.

Q: Yes. Yes.

AL-WALEED: And I have say we have signed something, yes. Confirmed understanding. I don’t call it settlement. Now, some others may call it settlement. I don’t call it settlement because settlement to me is an acknowledgment that you made a wrong -- you made something wrong. In my case, no, it’s a confirmed understanding with the government.

Q: You realize, of course, how important it is to be candid and honest with me about this.

AL-WALEED: What’s why I’m with you now.

Q: Because the circle of knowledge is too wide. Too many people know too many things, and if all of a sudden a different story emerges, your credibility --

AL-WALEED: Sure.

Q: -- will suffer.

AL-WALEED: Sure.

Q: So everything we’re saying --

AL-WALEED: You bet.

Q: -- everything you’ve told me is 100 percent true?

AL-WALEED: I have a confirmed understanding with the government and it’s ongoing. Now, I don’t -- I elaborate on that, it’s an ongoing process with the government.

Q: Tell me about the Ritz-Carlton, what was it like inside?

AL-WALEED: Well, you know, it --

Q: For you.

AL-WALEED: Yes, it -- it was -- it was a well built hotel, obviously, and those are pretty sure (ph) for me really to compare the service inside and with room service, the laundry, the hot (ph) -- you know, operator, the -- the phone operator service and et cetera and compare it with the -- with the -- with our brand Four Seasons because they are our competitor.

Frankly speaking -- and I say to my friend Bill Gates and Cascade who are, you know, 50 percent ownership of Four Seasons, you’re in good shape, don’t worry. No one competes with us.

The Ritz-Carlton is a good hotel, but they -- they -- they are no Four Seasons at all. So really, I put -- I put them with the Sheraton’s and InterContental’s and the -- and the Meridian’s of the world.

Q: You used your time in the Ritz-Carlton to conduct comparative analysis?

AL-WALEED: Sure, sure you have to use your time efficiently besides watching Bloomberg.

Q: How did you spend your time?

AL-WALEED: Well good question, you know, I’m very much exercise oriented, I’m very much -- you know I’m vegan, so there’s a lot of -- you know, I really divide my time into a lot of sports, a lot of walking, a lot meditation, a lot of watching news, a lot of praying, you know, because I was in that one big suite but I really arranged my time in a very efficient manor to really -- to utilize it best to my benefit.

Q: What was a typical day like?

AL-WALEED: Yes, a typical day is at -- I used to sleep at 6 o’clock in the morning, after praying the fajr, I used to pray to Mecca, to Mecca and the -- the holy mosque over there.

I sleep 6, 7 o’clock, and then wake up around noon, I used exercise for maybe an hour, an hour and a half, and then I divide my meals, usually I have two meals only a day, but over there I divide them six -- six meals, very small meals.

So really I cut the time. So I divide in six small meals and then they -- you know, we pray five times, obviously, and do those exercises and watch all the news, obviously.

Q: You had access to television, to newspapers, to --

AL-WALEED: I had access to everything, everything, every completely, completely.

Q: So no one on the outside knew what was happening inside, but those of you on the inside knew everything about what was happening on the outside?

AL-WALEED: Exactly, exactly, exactly, exactly, and -- and that’s why they -- I was able to get information about this so-called torture, because all the security guards there used to come to me – they were my friends and the doctors.

And they all tell me everybody getting best service, you know, they used to come twice and three times a day for medical treatment, because some of them are old, you know, so they had to be treated.

So really when I hear about this torture, I just -- it was blatant lie not only on me, on others also. Not only on me, on others.

Q: So you were not harmed or mistreated in any way?

AL-WALEED: Not one iota there, to be honest. And I have to be honest with you, nothing at all. And that’s when I saw the BBC interview with this guy and seeing I heard the cell and it was is Skype and the prince was tired.

It was blatant lie, maybe I should sue them, I should look into that, sue -- sue BBC may be get some money from them --

Q: And you’re certain --

AL-WALEED: And give it to charity.

Q: You’re certain that nobody else who was at the Ritz-Carlton suffered anything akin to abuse, torture, wasn’t even roughed up?

AL-WALEED: Let me tell you, to be very transparent with you, I can confirm that none of them was treated badly and none of them was ever tortured. However, maybe someone tried to run away or -- or to do something crazy, maybe he was -- he was maybe put down and controlled maybe, maybe.

But for sure there was nothing called systematic torturing at all.

Q: Where did you sleep?

AL-WALEED: I slept in the -- in adjacent -- not the big suite, I slept in the small room. Yes, because it had two -- two rooms, one big provincial (ph) room, and one for -- adjacent for the security. I used to sleep in the small room.

Q: Why?

AL-WALEED: Because I like small rooms, small rooms, and plus over there it -- it was easier to make it dark completely because I can’t sleep at all if -- if there’s some light, and that room easier to make it dark.

Q: So no truth whatsoever to the reports that you were in some kind of a detention cell?

AL-WALEED: Oh, come on, this is -- I was never -- I never left the Ritz-Carlton, I never was tortured, and I -- look, I -- I -- I read about the report that they got an American team, special team for torture, come on, it was the funniest thing and the silliest thing, you know.

It just never happened, and I was always in the Ritz-Carlton, I never left that hotel.

Q: Were you allowed to walk the grounds?

AL-WALEED: Oh, yes. Yes, I was allowed to walk and swim and -- and talk around my suite, yes, yes.

Q: Were you allowed to talk to other detainees?

AL-WALEED: No.

Q: No?

AL-WALEED: No.

Q: So you couldn’t communicate with each other?

AL-WALEED: No, no, no, no two -- two people in the -- two people in the Ritz-Carlton used to talk to each other, not at all, no, even in my case. I did not see anyone, I did not talk to anyone

Q: You were allowed to make some phone calls.

AL-WALEED: Yes.

Q: To whom and under what conditions?

AL-WALEED: Yes, no really, they’re open, but, you know, I used to make my calls to -- to -- to my son, to my daughter, obviously that’s -- and my granddaughter obviously.

And I used to talk to -- to -- to the heads of the companies, like for example, they had the CEO of -- of Kingdom Holding, they had in my private office, and the -- the secretary general of my foundation and the -- to the seniors of my -- of my companies.

But I used to really be brief, because really things were functioning normal.

Q: Were those calls being monitored?

AL-WALEED: Most likely, yes. Most likely, I -- you know, -- I don’t have a confirmed information about that, but most likely they were, yes, most likely.

Q: And they confiscated your cell phone.

AL-WALEED: No, my phone was in the car, I did not take it.

Q: You didn’t take it?

AL-WALEED: No, it was in the car.

Q: I see.

AL-WALEED: My car -- my phone and my private bag was in the car.

Q: You’re a vegan and you observe a very strict diet, so what did you eat?

AL-WALEED: Yes, yes, it was a bit difficult to educate them, for -- for example, the soup used to have some butter and -- and ghee, so it took me some maybe 24 hours to reeducate them and tell them I want the tomato soup to be natural, and for example, all my food to be without any -- any animal stuff.

But it worked well, it worked well.

Q: How did you educate them?

AL-WALEED: You know, just by calling -- for example, the -- the head of the waiters used to come to me and to tell him to take his (inaudible) what I want.

For example, you know, I like desserts and it was very difficult for him to manufacture and make the deserts for me with -- with Splenda, the diet sugar, so -- so believe it or not, I -- I was very much there eating -- having as dessert, the Movenpick (ph) strawberry ice cream, very strange, our brand, Movenpick strawberry -- not ice cream, sorbet, because ice cream sorbet does not have any animal stuff, although it has some sugar, so I sacrificed that.

So I did have some sugar, but I increased my -- the doses of my exercise a bit.

Q: What was it like, your royal highness, being held captive by your own cousin?

AL-WALEED: Frankly speaking, it was not easy, you know, I have to confess that. It’s not easy to be -- to be held against your will in a location, but I used to say, you know, look, this is your uncle, this is your country, and this is your cousin Prince Mohammed, and really when I left, very strange feeling I had, and I met with all -- I gathered all the seniors in my companies and all my close confidants and I told them, I swear to you I have -- I have complete serenity, complete comfort, and no grudge and no bad feelings at all.

And sure enough within 24 hours after I left, we were back in communication, you know, with the king’s office, with the crown prince and his people. And that’s very strange situation, by the way, not easy what happened but it’s -- it’s a fact.

Q: And that’s because what? That’s because you simply had to move forward?

AL-WALEED: No, look -- look, I’m a nationalist, I’m patriotic, I believe in m y country. Look, this country has been established by the -- the Al-Saud’s, you know, my -- my great grandfathers.

The first dynasty -- the first state -- I’m not going to use the word dynasty, but the first state was established 1744, and then it crashed. It crashed in 1818 and then second state came around 1824 and then -- and then crashed again 1889 and then King Abdulaziz is my grandfather who came and opened Riyadh in 1902 and established Saudi Arabia in 1932.

Look this country was done and established with our blood, with our grandfather’s blood, so I’m going to come and have this -- this irritation that happened to me, you know, really and -- and interrogative (ph) and then turn me against my -- my uncle, my cousin and my nation and my people in this country.

Q: Did you see Prince Mohammad or King Salman at any point while you were in the Ritz-Carlton?

AL-WALEED: No, during the Ritz-Carlton detention, no I did not see any of them, but I was in direct contract through the people, yes. So I had a few representatives that goes to the important (ph) rightly.

Q: So the discussions that you had were with whom?

AL-WALEED: I cannot reveal the names, but they were very close confidants, I cannot give any names. It’s just -- it’s just a -- it’s not that I am not supposed to, it’s not confidential, but I would rather not give their names.

But there were three confidants -- of -- of -- of directly the King Salman and Prince Mohammad Salman and they report directly to them.

Q: Officials in the royal court?

AL-WALEED: Official, yes, in the royal court, yes.

Q: Is there anything you’re not allowed to do now or you have to do differently as a result of having been there?

AL-WALEED: Frankly speaking, nothing at all. If you can look at -- you’ve been with me and you can look at the -- ask the people around me, and honest to you, nothing, we’re back to normal.

Q: Can you travel?

AL-WALEED: Yes, sure, I can -- actually I heard the rumors that I cannot travel, my son cannot travel, my daughter can’t travel, you know actually my son just came back from Jordan.

He came here and he’s leaving tomorrow, so yes, we can travel and my son can travel, my daughter can travel, there are a lot of rumors here.

Q: There have been reports that some people who were in the Ritz-Carlton now have to wear ankle bracelets.

AL-WALEED: Yes, well, I mean --

Q: I don’t see one.

AL-WALEED: I know, I mean, I don’t know about these ankle bracelets, I don’t --

Q: Is -- do you -- do you know whether the government is monitoring your whereabouts?

AL-WALEED: No, I’m -- I’m not worried about that, frankly speaking. Because --

Q: And your -- and your bank accounts?

AL-WALEED: No, no, everything’s normal -- normal -- everything’s normal -- everything’s normal, frankly speaking, everything’s back to normal completely.

Q: What about your --

AL-WALEED: And actually when I -- when I left, I went to -- I went desert, I went to look at the football match, you know, I’m very back to normal, frankly speaking. I’m at the, you know, I had my -- said you know about where you meet thousands of Saudis, you know, everything’s back to normal.

Q: What about your profile, domestically or internationally, will that have to change?

AL-WALEED: No, but -- but some -- some -- you know, thanks god, many of the companies I deal with and many of the banks I deal with, you know, they all will be in touch with me, and I really take this opportunity to thank many heads of state in Europe, many heads of state in the Arab world, many head of states in the far east and many ex head of states in the United States, really for caring about me and being in touch with my office and me after I left and during my -- my detention.

And really thank -- thankful specifically, you know, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, you know, Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs, Corbat of -- of Citi, and you know, President Carter.

Q: They -- they checked in on you?

AL-WALEED: Oh, yes. And -- and actually Bill Gates issued a press release about me. So I really appreciate -- please and I -- I missed some, a lot of them, my friends even I have no time to just to mention all the names, so I really appreciate what they did.

All those in the political arena, national -- internationally, and the business community also, so I really thank them for -- for the -- for they care about me and say I will not -- never let you down.

Q: What about now, does the government want you building and maintaining these relationships with heads of state and CEOs of multinational companies?

AL-WALEED: I mean, when I left, there was zero conditions on me, zero conditions, which means to me life as usual. Actually, since I left, I’ve been in touch with many heads of states, many heads of states in Europe and the Middle East, thank them, and frankly speaking everything’s normal, yes.

Q: Your royal highness, you’re looking for foreign investments and so is the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. Doesn’t that put you in competition?

AL-WALEED: Oh, for sure not, actually -- actually since I left, we are now in touch with the government to -- to -- to be a modern name for the projects, for example they have big project in the Red Sea where they’re going to have motif (ph) type resorts.

Actually, Four Seasons was invited to be there, we also invited to be in the -- in the -- in the other project ir Riyadh where we’re going to have -- where everybody going to have a huge entertainment center, you know, it’s Disney type.

So because we are involved in hotels, we’re in -- in media and entertainment, so we’re invited. So no, no, not at all, no competition, we compliment each other, you know, we see right now the -- the division fund that’s going to -- that is with Mr. Sun (ph) of -- of Japan.

And we are very much invested -- investors in -- in many companies, you know, JD.com in China, with Lyft in America, Twitch (ph) in American, in Karime (ph) in the Middle East, and right now to confirm to you that we are in discussion right now with certain companies in the United States for certain deals.

So no, we are not in competition, we -- we compliment each other.

Q: Can you tell me more about these negotiations over deals that you are --

AL-WALEED: I hope we can do it very soon, but I, you know, we -- we are under secrecies and we have confidential agreements, I cannot tell you, but we are negotiating right now certain deals now with certain companies in the United States.

Q: If you choose or if you become involved with this resort in the Red Sea or the entertainment complex that’s being built in Riyadh, this will be by choice or this is part of your ongoing relationship?

AL-WALEED: You are very smart today. No, this has nothing to with any conditions, we do it because -- because -- actually we are invited, the Four Seasons, to invest in the Four Seasons in -- in -- in the Red Sea even before the detention.

But right now we are just continue to have discussions. No, we do it because it helps here (ph) (inaudible) Kingdom Holding, it helps IRR and ROI, return investment on IRR.

Q: What about co-investment, will the Public Investment Fund and Kingdom Holding or perhaps Rotana or perhaps Prince Al Waleed in his personal account invest together?

AL-WALEED: Very good question, yes, and this will happen. We are in discussion right now with PIF on -- on certain projects to be -- so we can co-invest in certain projects, yes.

Q: Domestic projects or international ventures?

AL-WALEED: No, we have been talking domestically first to begin with (inaudible) speaking. The -- the discussion right now is on domestic and the domestic arena.

Q: What kinds of investments might those be?

AL-WALEED: Well I told you, it’s -- it’s like the Four Seasons on the Red Sea and the --

Q: So those things, nothing -- nothing beyond that at the moment?

AL-WALEED: No, no, no, but -- but we are talks right now -- we are in talk with the PIF and the government about investments -- joint investments together now, it’s still not developed yet, and I can’t dwell into that because there’s no -- nothing -- fruitful -- nothing final yet.

Q: You had a --

AL-WALEED: We’re in discussion with the government, yes.

Q: You have the deepest, longest and most successful track record as a foreign investor of any Saudi, I have to believe, will their be an opportunity for Kingdom Holding or Prince Al-Waleed and the PIF to co-invest abroad?

AL-WALEED: Well, sure, I mean we -- we are always open for discussion for investments, you know. Most of our investments, if not all our investments are with partners, like for example, I -- I just mentioned to you the Four Seasons and the brand in Canada.

We wanted to join with Bill Gates and that’s, you know, the biggest hotel brand and the most luxurious seven star brand in the world. So yes, most our investments are based on co-investments.

So we welcome the investment PIF. And right now we are in discussion with PIF for certain investments, you know, in -- locally.

Q: Will you invest in Neom, the futuristic city that Prince Mohammad wants to build in -- in the north?

AL-WALEED: Yes, which you know now, Neom is still in the design phase and the government’s now is going to build infrastructure, once -- it’s going to take one to two or three years and obviously then they are -- they are proposed to the local community and business opportunities, sure, and we are -- you know we’re open -- we are investors, and -- and remember, in the last year Kingdom Holding was the biggest investor locally.

We invested $1.6 billion in the Saudi French Bank, we bought the estate from Credit Agricole in France, 16 percent of $1.6 billion and we’ve -- we -- we injected around 4 billion riyal and the -- in the local community be it in the highest tower in Jeddah and other projects.

So we invested $3 billion last year in -- in -- locally in Saudi Arabia.

Q: And that will continue?

AL-WALEED: That will continue, it will continue for sure.

Q: Your royal highness, this whole ordeal has affected your reputation. People will still believe, no matter what you tell me today, that because you were in the Ritz-Carlton, you must be guilty of something or crooked perhaps, surely you must realize that?

AL-WALEED: Sure, look, when you are detained for sure some of the business community, some of the banking community will say they will have one doubt -- one iota of doubt, for sure. That’s my job right now to interact, meet with all of them individually or jointly or -- or through a good reporter like you and say my story.

I understand it’s not going to be easy at all because it’s going to -- some banks and some business -- some people in business community will be doubtful, will say what’s going on. However I assure them that everything is normal, everything is back to normal, and -- and that we -- we are functioning as we were before and we welcome them to come here to see what we’re doing in Saudi Arabia and life is back to normal.

Q: How will you know if it is or isn’t affecting your business and investment opportunities?

AL-WALEED: I know because I met all the businessmen who are in touch with us and the bank community. The banking community is the very important barometer, and we met most of them and we are still meeting some of them.

They all reiterated their position of confidence in us and said we are ready to -- we are ready to continue with you as -- as was the case before.

Q: How do you fight the impression of guilt by association?

AL-WALEED: What use the term guilt by association, I would like to be more positive and say innocence by association, and I give one example. The closest man who was detained is Ibrahim al-Assaf, who is -- who is ex minister of finance, who is my son is married to his daughter.

The guy went out of detention and he was respected by the Saudi Government by the King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad and he’s back in the minster of -- in the council ministers.

Not only that, he headed the ministerial committee that went to Davos to represent Saudi Arabia, so really -- so rather than saying guilt by association I would say innocence by association, I’d like to compare myself to him, whereby he left, he was vindicated back in council of ministers and head of the -- the committee to -- to Davos.

I’ll like to be considered similar to him actually, many people who left the -- the detention, they were innocent and they were given back all their rights completely.

Q: It would surely help if the government said Al-Waleed did nothing wrong, it was a misunderstanding, he paid nothing to leave, he remains a Saudi citizen in good standing. That hasn’t happened.

AL-WALEED: All of these points were covered in the -- in the -- in the confirmed understanding agreement between me and the government. See, I cannot dwell into that and the government will not dwell into that.

Q: I understand, but you have to agree, surely that if the government, if Prince Mohammad perhaps or some other government official were to say, were to affirm everything that we’ve discussed today, that would help.

AL-WALEED: No, look, the fact that I'm speaking to you right now, and I'm saying everything truth and honestly, and the fact the government is seeing what saying is an approval that I'm saying correct? So, let's do it differently.

Q: The -- I'm also thinking about the fact that your son and your brother were both appointed to government positions during, or after, the time you were in the Ritz Carlton?

AL-WALEED: That's correct. My son, Khaled was appointed the head of a sports federation during my detention, and the discussion with my brother to be appointed the deputy government of Asir (ph) -- south in the province, was also -- the discussion began while I was in detention.

So, these are two proofs, also, that clearly my case was a bit different than others, because you don't really appoint the brother and the son of a man who is really stamped for corruption.

Q: The Crown Prince -- Prince Salman, is touring the West. He's meeting President Trump at the White House, and he's trying to attract capital to Saudi Arabia. Given your experience in the Ritz Carlton, how good can you feel about presenting a common front with the government, the very same government that put you in the hotel?

AL-WALEED: Look, I'm supportive of Saudi Arabia, supportive of my government, supportive of King Salman and Prince Salman all the way. I mean, before, during and after detention, there's not one iota of doubt about that, and I will support Saudi Arabia -- that's my country.

Q: People will find that hard to understand.

AL-WALEED: I understand because they don’t understand that talking to a person was a member of the Royal Family. You know, this guy's my cousin, this guy's my uncle and this guy's my grandfather, and these are my sons and my daughters. I've got daughters here.

So, I'm part of the Saudi committee. I'm part of it. You know, it's like in the United States, you think that Paul Ryan always agrees with Trump? President Trump? And they are the same party, right? Disagree sometimes, even Pelosi of the House of Representatives and Schumer of the Senate, disagree also. They are the Democratic Party, right?

So, we are one party here. One party, you know, the ruling family of Saudi Arabia. And, you know, this country was established with the blood of al Saud Abdulaziz specifically.

And you know, I'm not about to really move from that front and full support of Saudi Arabia. And, I know people think that the King and Crown Prince, and yet you are still supporting them? I say, you bet, sir. I’m supporting them whole heartedly and complete freedom and liberty.

Q: You've spoken to other investors who've spoken to other CEOs, what do they say?

AL-WALEED: Well, you know, most of them really -- I didn’t speak to all of them, I spoke to some of them -- called me, some of them, I called them and they are all back to normal frankly speaking. I didn’t talk to maybe a few.

Q: But, you have to wonder how comfortable they will be putting capital in Saudi Arabia after seeing what we might call the Ritz Carlton method of dealing with disputes?

AL-WALEED: Yes, well you know, I mean, they have to decide that, but I can talk on my behalf, I can assure and tell you, business as usual. We're going to invest in Saudi Arabia. We continue invest in Saudi Arabia. You know, I was born in Saudi Arabia, and I'm going to die in Saudi Arabia, and that's my nation forever.

Q: We reported, and Kingdom Holding confirmed, that your company is seeking to raise something in the order of $1 billion in debt. What are you going to use it for?

AL-WALEED: Yes, the kingdom is now is actually raising between $1 to 2 billion of debt, because we do have some cash, obviously, at Kingdom Holding. But, you have now looking for the second deal for us, Kingdom Holding.

Last year we did a few big deals, and this year 2018, although the market right now in the United States, we see it somehow -- I won't say overvalued, but the prices are not where we wish them to be. But, we would like to get some fire power ready for us, and, yes, I think we are on the verge of getting the $1 to 2 billion financing facilities.

Q: So, you're thinking about a deal of what size?

AL-WALEED: We -- we -- we willing to do anything for $1 to 3 billion.

Q: And, in what industry?

AL-WALEED: Look, we are a holding company, and we are in 13 districts, correct? We're open, we are open, we're open.

Q: Now, I have heard that you're working with Goldman Sachs?

AL-WALEED: Yes. Goldman Sachs actually, and I thank Mr. Blankfein personally, for his support in the previous deal at $1.6 billion to buy this Credit Agricole stake in the Saudi-French bank. And right now we are working through them, and others also, to find and locate some other deals for Kingdom Holding within the region nationally or internationally.

Q: Would you consider ever restructuring Kingdom Holding to make it a little bit easier for people outside Saudi Arabia to understand? In other words, taking, perhaps, the domestic projects and the domestic real estate and turning it into a REIT?

And then, the other investments that you have remain, say, in the Kingdom Holding structure?

AL-WALEED: You know, you are not an astute reporter, you are an astute businessman, also. That's exactly what our CEO is doing.

CEO of Kingdom Holding, right now, is thinking of divesting the -- the -- the local part of Saudi Kingdom Holding and do a REIT possibly. And, it's going to be a new estate, it's going to be the tower and all our local holdings.

So, it is ongoing and we already have an ongoing discussion right now on that particular situation. Yes.

Q: Would you say that's the plan? That's what's likely to happen?

AL-WALEED: It is the current plan, yes.

Q: How long will that take?

AL-WALEED: I don’t' know, it's going to take some time, but we're still developing that matter, but our CEO is thinking in these terms, yes.

Q: And, what percentage of Kingdom Holdings assets do you figure would end up in the REIT?

AL-WALEED: Very close to -- almost half-half.

Q: Half-half?

AL-WALEED: I would say almost, roughly.

Q: So, the other investments, in hotels, for example --

AL-WALEED: Yes.

Q: The investments in media, for example, the investments in financial services, that would remain inside Kingdom Holdings?

AL-WALEED: Yes, that is correct.

Q: Tell me a little bit more about a project underway in Saudi Arabia. We talked about what you might do on the Red Sea, we talked about you might do in the entertainment center, but you have some very large projects currently underway.

The Jeddah Economic City, for example, where you're building the 1 kilometer high tower. Is that still proceeding?

AL-WALEED: Yes, the -- the -- the 1 kilometer tower is proceeding and right now we are almost one-third done of it. And see, that's a big development, that's part of the 5.3 million square meter development, and that's only phase one of it.

And it's going to be the anchor for other investors to come. Everybody likes to be associated with the highest tower in the world, it's going to be one kilometer, plus. This will finish around three years, we are a bit late, but it's going to finish in three years.

But, one finishes, then all the development around it will begin. We're going to have hotels, you're going to have hospitals, clinics, schools, you know, other stuff, and the first -- the big infrastructure was signed. Infrastructure deal was signed a few months ago by our CEO here.

Q: Why is behind schedule?

AL-WALEED: It's because Binladen, the contractor faced some difficulties, not because of the being detained the Ritz, but because he had some you know, they had some (inaudible) where the big crane fell and it killed a lot of people. So, this really created a big hindrance to his operation for a year or two, and that affected operation with us.

But, now they are back on track, they're moving. Actually, the government right now owns a stake in them and that's how I told you when I told you that the -- the -- the share in that company right now is appointed by the government of Saudi Arabia.

Q: The Wall Street Journal reported that the government has been interfering in the tower project, diverting resources away and toward Neom, the city in the north?

AL-WALEED: Yes. You know, it's a pity that this came from Wall Street Journal, this kind of rubbish talk and I repeat, rubbish talk, should not come from Wall Street Journal. You know, that belongs to Mr. Murdoch's empire, this should come from some tabloid, you know, in some other country.

These are just rumors, lies and innuendos and heresies.

Q: Not true?

AL-WALEED: That's complete false statement, plus, our tower will finish in two years. And, I think, Neom will need construction (inaudible) to begin with anyway, plus, expertise that Neom needs, which is high tech oriented as Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said. The expertise that they need is very much different than a typical classical concrete, steel, old fashioned construction.

These are two different subjects completely and I think the Wall Street Journal, now, became a tabloid in these articles.

Q: Tell me about vision 2030. This is Mohammad bin Salman's grand plan. I think it's fair to call it a grand plan for the transformation of the Saudi economy and Saudi society. Do you remain supportive?

AL-WALEED: Yes. Actually you know, bin Salman, who I'm supportive completely, even before he became Crown Prince, I would fully support him, because his vision really took a lot of my ideas, but frankly speaking, he applied them.

You know, (inaudible) fund idea. I talked about it in public and I called it the nuclear option. You know, women's rights, women in society, women driving, all these things I called for and he did that and more than that, by the way. He not only adopted what I said, but he did 10 times better than what I asked for.

And, that's why I'm commending him and supporting him because he is really establishing you know the new Saudi Arabia. And, every time I text him I say, "Prince, you are taking us from the 12th Century to the 21st Century, thank you."

Q: How often are you and he in contact?

AL-WALEED: Barely three days come without me texting, or texting, or calling or talk to him. Barely three days happen.

Q: You and he talk almost every three days? If not more?

AL-WALEED: I say we text a lot. We text a lot, but we talk less frequently, but barely a week goes with us communicating.

Q: How would you describe your relationship?

AL-WALEED: No one would believe it. After I left, it is not only as strong, it's stronger. And this is shocking to many people, even to my people. Not only to you.

I told them my vision right now is behind bin Salman, this guy is not only as strong as before, stronger, and this is shocking to many people.

Q: You've forgiven him?

AL-WALEED: Not necessary to forgive, I've forgot and forgiven the whole process completely, it's behind me, completely. Completely.

Q: What do you think the biggest challenge is he's going to face will be? What he's trying to do is not easy.

AL-WALEED: And, I told him, what he's doing is not an evolution, it's a revolution. Not evolution at all, but a revolution on the social front, on the economic front, on the business front and the financial front, and now, the political front.

The mission is undertaken now is huge and you know King Salman is supporting all that he's doing 100 percent. What's happening right now in Saudi Arabia is tremendous, it is unbelievable, it's incredible and this revolution in the making.

And, any person who does not support what Mohammad bin Salman is doing right now, I consider them as a trader.

Q: Yes.

AL-WALEED: And I said that previous Ritz, during Ritz, after Ritz, so, it's not really an after Ritz situation that creates it. And I told him that, and I told others that, you have to support him, because what he's going right now is complete transformation.

Now, I'm telling you, there will be trial and errors, sure, but not everything is going (inaudible). Because you have to also hear the pulse of the people and see how much stake they want, and how much receptive they are to change, but it's happening fast.

Q: Do you think he will be successful in taking Aramco public?

AL-WALEED: Look, before going to Aramco, I say he has to be successful, because there's no other chance for Saudi Arabia. Because the last two years of King Abdullah Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia was you know, just going the wrong track. King Abdullah's my uncle, and I loved him and I had very good relation with him.

But, the last few years era, we had very bad relationship, because our asking for a lot things, social reforms, economic reforms, political reforms, financial reforms, and they were not accepted. But right now, Mohammad bin Salman is really doing all these reforms and more.

And, yes, I think he has to be successful. As for Aramco I'm in favor of it and I like to go public, and this 5 percent is really the beginning only. No one talks about it, by the way, so you have to understand that if you've go 5 percent, that's the most difficult part of it, because then it becomes a marketable security.

So, if you go 5 percent, you go another 5 percent, and 5 percent again, and again, and that's easy money to get very fast for Saudi Arabia. Because Saudi Arabia needs the money and the cash now, in the next two, three, four years, because the, when all the new VAT tax, when the increase in fuel prices and (inaudible) prices, and all the other taxes mesh in the system, we have a lot of funds, two, three, four years down the line.

So, having Aramco go public now is very important to Saudi Arabia and I'm supporting it.

Q: What if Aramco can't achieve a $2 trillion valuation, should the government wait?

AL-WALEED: The price of Aramco is a function of the price of Aramco (inaudible) and the cash flow coming in the future.

Q: Yes.

AL-WALEED: So, clearly the more confidence that the price of oil remain in the $50-60-70 range, the more it can get toward $2 trillion, and that's why Saudi Arabia is competing with Russia, in spite the disagreement on the political front, for example, like in Syria, you know?

That's why the cooperating, but also Russia has a benefit in having the price of oil go up, because they very much depend on oil like us, at least for now. So, if it doesn't go for $2 trillion, I think the government has to decide at that time, and Prince Mohammad Salman has to decide, if $1.5 trillion, or $1.750 trillion, is as good as $2 trillion.

But, I'm in support of this thing going public, or this $1.5 or $1.750, or $2 trillion dollars.

Q: So, in other words, touching a valuation of $1.5 trillion is pretty darned good?

AL-WALEED: I prefer $2 trillions, obviously, and I think that $2 trillion is not impossible, but it will all depend on the price of oil today and the cash flow in the future coming from oil.

Q: You have a lot of experience as an investor. The Crown Prince is putting a lot of expectation, let's say, on the public investment fund, the sovereign wealth fund, what will it take for the PIF to be successful?

AL-WALEED: Well, the mission of the PIF now has been enlarged a lot.

Q: Yes.

AL-WALEED: And, a lot of Saudi assets are being put there -- into it, and there's going to be a huge conglomerate, obviously, and there's a lot of responsibility there, because they are going be also invested in the infrastructure of Neom and Red Sea project, and the entertainment project in Riyadh.

So, they're going to undertake a huge mission. Although, they are going to be invested in these projects that may not get immediate and quick cash flow, then investments in some others that will get a good cash flow, and investment in the division (ph) fund also.

So, really the responsibility on the PIF is going to be huge.

Q: Some people wonder if the PIF is exercising enough discipline on its investments. For example the valuation, almost $70 billion of which it bought into Uber. The $20 billion it's giving Blackstone for infrastructure, the $45 billion it's giving SoftBank for the vision fund. What do you say?

AL-WALEED: Well, look, you know the PIF thinking is a bit different than our thinking, as in businessmen. Now, in our case, it's always been important ROI, but I think in this case, they want some of the investments are you know political implications.

Some of them are really to create historic stable cash flow, so they are a bit different than just the business community.

Q: Your Royal Highness, you've had your differences with President Trump. You've had what some people describe as the "Twitter War" when he was a candidate. How would you say he's doing as president?

AL-WALEED: Let me just elaborate on this, I would not say an argument with him, it was a skirmish. You know, I mean, I sent two tweets, because of his attack on Islam that time, but remember that all these attacks were just taken out from his website, so right now we are back to normal.

And, frankly speaking, all his policies, the Trump policies were very fair to Kingdom Holding because most of the investments in the United States have went up 30-40-50 percent.

So, we have benefited a lot from the Trump policies.

Q: Because of the tax cut?

AL-WALEED: Even before the tax cut, but the tax cut really was the cherry on of the cream, whereby just toward euphoric, so really Trump did help us as Saudi investors in our case.

And, I will tell you something very important, when I had this skirmish with Trump, this is a secret. King Salman called me and said, "My cousin, my friend, please, stop with Trump because this guy may be president one day in United States", and his prediction was right.

Q: Do you agree -- here's the question, here's really what it comes down to, because your position is not all that different from that of other CEOs. If you approve of Trump's economic and business policies, because they benefit you, and they benefit your shareholders, can you overlook the things about his agenda that you don't like?

AL-WALEED: Well, sure, look I'm not an American citizen and I'm not about to interfere in U.S. affairs, but clearly I'm very close friend of the United States, and I have a lot of stake in the business investment arena in the United States. So, the United States -- it's very important for them to be stable and to be functioning pretty well.

So, clearly, Trump is a very non-conventional president, is very unique in what he does, and at the same time for the U.S. public, for the U.S. Congress, for the House of Representatives, or the Senate, and even his party to really adapt to his -- his -- his new way of -- of -- of moving in his presidency.

Q: Do you think he's doing a better job managing relations with states in the Gulf region than President Obama?

AL-WALEED: There's no comparison. I mean, private citizen, that's where I can speak publicly right now. If you speak to any government official, they maybe can't talk like me, but for sure, Obama, with all respect, he had no policy toward the Middle East at all.

I mean, Trump has a policy in the Middle East at least and he is very much aligned with Saudi Arabia. You know, he knows the danger. I was with you in an interview in Chicago, remember, when I said that any (inaudible) is not Israel, it's Iran, and you know, many people in the Middle East were upset with me.

Now, look, who is aiming on a number of the Gulf region, especially, it is Iran, because if it's (inaudible) switched control Arab nations through surrogates in Iraq, in Syria, in Yemen, in Lebanon, and even in Gaza where they are in collusion with Hamas over there.

So, yes, I believe that the Trump policy is very much in close thinking to the Gulf region Saudi Arabia, specifically, and I think that the relationship King Salman, Prince Salman has with Trump is ideal and is good for Saudi Arabia, and the stability of our region.

Q: Politics and diplomacy are exceedingly tricky and complicated in this part of the world. Do you think President Trump and his senior advisor, Jared Kushner, have a real shot at Middle East peace?

Al-WALEED: Well, I can only hope that it is successful, because really although now we don’t think much about the Palestinian situation, and the clash between Israel and Palestine -- you know, we always hear about other stuff, Iran, Iraq and Daesh, et cetera, but I think it's very important to -- to -- to finalize an arrangement, or an agreement, between the Palestinians and Israelis as quickly as possible.

And, I really hope that Jared can pull this through.

Q: I have no further questions, your Royal Highness.

AL-WALEED: Thank you.

Q: Thank you very much.