JEDDAH, 23 October 2005 — Prince Muqrin, formerly governor of Madinah, has been appointed head of the general intelligence. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday announced the appointment.
“Prince Muqrin ibn Abdul Aziz has been appointed president of the General Intelligence with the rank of minister,” said the royal decree. Prince Muqrin replaces Prince Nawaf, who was the Kingdom’s intelligence chief until he was relieved of his duties by King Fahd in January. The post was earlier held by Prince Turki Al-Faisal, current Saudi ambassador to the United States.
Prince Muqrin’s appointment comes at a time when the Kingdom has launched a massive campaign against Al-Qaeda militants blamed for bombings and shootings in the country since May 2003.
Last week King Abdullah set up a seven-member National Security Council, which includes the defense, interior and foreign ministers, as part of a broader move to strengthen security measures in the country.
In another royal decree issued yesterday, King Abdullah relieved Prince Saud ibn Fahd, vice president of intelligence, of his duties upon his request, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed, former deputy governor of Qassim, succeeds Prince Muqrin as governor of Madinah, SPA said. “Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed has been appointed governor of Madinah with the rank of minister,” a royal decree said.
Prince Muqrin thanked King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan for the new appointment. “I am happy to serve the nation in any position for which the leadership selects me,” he said. He also thanked the people of Madinah for the cooperation they extended to him while he was governor of the region.
Born in Riyadh in 1945, Prince Muqrin was brought up under the direction of his father, King Abdul Aziz.
