Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Crown Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister, is first in line in succession after King Salman became the ruler after King Abdullah’s death on Friday. He is the 35th son of founder King Abdul Aziz Al Saud. He was born Riyadh on Sept. 15, 1945, and grew up in the care of his father King Abdul Aziz, may he rest in peace, studying at the Riyadh Model Institute.
After graduation, Prince Muqrin joined the Saudi Royal Air Force in 1964. He went on to study in Britain, graduating in 1968 at the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
In 1969 Prince Muqrin began advanced training courses on fighter jets at Dhahran Air Force base; serving as Commander of the 2nd Air Squadron between 1970 and 1973. In 1974, Prince Muqrin joined the General Staff course in the US where he earned a diploma (equivalent to a Masters). In 1977, he was appointed assistant to director of air operations and head of plans and operations division in the Saudi Royal Air Force.
In 1980, King Khalid Bin Abdulaziz appointed Prince Muqrin Emir of Hail province at the age of 35. He remained in this position for 20 years, until King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz issued a royal decree appointing him as Emir of Madinah in 1999, succeeding his brother Prince Abdul Majeed Bin Abdulaziz. Considered a traditionalist, Prince Muqrin worked to promote traditional values during his appointments as governor. He remained in office until October 2005.
In late 2005, a royal decree was issued appointing Prince Muqrin as head of Saudi Arabia’s General Intelligence service. In this position, Prince Muqrin organized the first Information Technology and National Security conference in mid-2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of this vital institution.
Prince Muqrin remained in this position until King Abdullah appointed him as a special royal adviser and envoy at the rank of minister on July 19, 2012. King Abdullah issued a royal decree appointing Prince Muqrin as Second Deputy Premier. He is the fifth Saudi official to hold this position, which was previously held by King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, and Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz.
Prince Muqrin is known to have a passion for astronomy and astronomical observation, as well as reading, culture and agricultural research. When he was Emir of Hail, Prince Muqrin transformed the province into one of the most agriculturally vital and active regions of Saudi Arabia. He is also interested in modern technology, including e-government and its applications, as well as classic Arabic poetry.
In a condolence message on Friday, Prince Muqrin said the late King Abdullah had shared with “his beloved people every love, faith and sincerity unmatched among other leaders and peoples.”
He added that King Abdullah’s life was “rich of positions supportive of the causes of Arab and Islamic nations everywhere” and that earned him his people’s trust.
He prayed to Allah Almighty to reward the late King a house in His paradise and wished his successor, King Salman, every success, prolonged health and happiness.
