RIYADH, Saudi Arabia– The Saudi Embassy in Washington says Prince Abdullah Al Saud has been appointed by King Salman as the new ambassador to Washington, Associated Press reported Oct. 21st 2015.
The prince, whose full name is Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Al Saud, headed the Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority, from 2000 to 2004, in order to promote investment in the kingdom. In that capacity he was ranked as minister.
The new ambassador is not seen as part of the inner-most circle of the royal family and is not a direct grandson of Saudi Arabia’s founder, King Abdulaziz.
His predecessor in Washington was Adel al-Jubeir, who was promoted to foreign minister in April.
Saudi-U.S. relations have cooled slightly since Washington pursued a nuclear accord with Iran that Riyadh strongly opposes.