RIYADH: The Saudi King Abdullah has appointed Prince Khalid bin Bandar as head of the Saudi intelligence in a royal decree issued early on Tuesday, Al Arabiya News reported.
Prince Khalid was relieved from his post as a Deputy Defense Minister on Saturday. He previously served as the governor of Riyadh province, a position he held since February 2013.
The newly-appointed Saudi intelligence head is the son of Prince Bandar, one of the eldest surviving sons of King Abdul Aziz, the founder of the kingdom.
He was also decorated by former President of Pakistan Asif Zardari with the military crescent medal that is awarded in Pakistan to distinctive foreign military personalities.
He had been working at high-ranking military personal and commander of the Saudi Arabian Royal Army before becoming Governor. He began his military service at the first battalion of the fourth armored brigade. He served in the G3 armor corps at the Royal Saudi Land Forces (SALF) in early 1980s.
On 14 February 2013, Prince Khalid was appointed governor of the Riyadh province. In May 2014, he was appointed deputy defense minister replacing Salman bin Sultan in the post.
Prince Bandar bin Sultan named as advisor, special envoy of king
The decree also named Prince Bandar bin Sultan as an advisor and a special envoy of the king with the rank of a minister.
Prince Bandar served as head of intelligence and was relieved form his post in April at his own request.
