Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz

Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz is a former air force pilot who has a passion for astronomy, reading and agricultural research. He has more than 50 years’ experience as an administrator, civil servant and military officer.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman appointed Prince Muqrin as crown prince and deputy premier and Prince Mohammed bin Naif as deputy crown prince, second deputy premier and interior minister on Friday, to strengthen the Kingdom’s political stability.

“The first decision taken by King Salman after becoming the new ruler was to implement the royal decree issued by King Abdullah, which was the appointment of Prince Muqrin as crown prince,” Al-Arabiya.net said in a report.

King Salman has urged royal family members and other citizens to pay their allegiance to Crown Prince Muqrin and Deputy Crown Prince Naif.

Prince Muqrin was born in Riyadh on Sept. 15, 1945, as the 35th son of King Abdul Aziz. He grew up in the care of his father and studied at Riyadh Model Institute. After graduation, he joined the Saudi Royal Air Force in 1964. He completed his studies in aviation in Britain and graduated in 1968 with the rank of flight lieutenant.

He has attended advanced training courses on fighter jets at Dhahran Air Force base, served as commander of the 2nd Air Squadron between 1970 and 1973.

In 1974, he joined the general staff course in the US where he earned a diploma, which is equivalent to a master’s degree. In 1977, he was appointed assistant to director of air operations and head of plans and operations at the air force.

Prince Muqrin has held several important positions in the government. In 1980, King Khaled appointed him as the governor of Hail at the age of 35 and he remained in that position for 20 years.

During the time of King Fahd, he was named Madinah governor in 1999. He remained in that position until October 2005, when he was appointed the country’s intelligence chief.

Prince Muqrin organized the first Information Technology and National Security Conference in mid-2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the General Intelligence Department.

King Abdullah appointed him as a special royal adviser and envoy at the rank of minister on July 19, 2012.

A year later he was named second deputy premier and special envoy of the king. In 2014, King Abdullah issued a royal decree appointing him as deputy crown prince.

Prince Muqrin has emphasized that Saudi Arabia should acquire the latest technology and information systems and apply them in all sectors and activities to enhance efficiency.

While laying the foundation for King Abdullah Institute for nano technology, he said Saudi Arabia has understood the importance of this technology long ago. “This technology is considered as a scientific revolution in modern times.”

During his 20-year tenure as governor of Hail, Prince Muqrin transformed the province into one of the most agriculturally vital and active regions of the Kingdom.

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