Saud of Saudi Arabia

Saud bin Abdul Aziz (January 12, 1902 - February 23, 1969) was King of Saudi Arabia from 1953 to November 2, 1964.

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He was the eldest son of Ibn Saud, and was made a crown prince on May 11, 1933 and became king upon his father's death in 1953. During his reign he was responsible for the establishment of numerous governmental ministries, and also for the establishment of King Saud University in Riyadh.

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His reign was marked with dissatisfaction within his own family. Like his father, he had over 30 sons. Saud was keen to give his own sons power, and placed them in high governmental positions. This annoyed his half-brothers, who thought that Saud's sons were too inexperienced, and began to fear that Saud would select his own son to succeed him. He was also known for his lavish spending squandering state funds for his own family and made diplomatic blunders, such as a supposed plot to assassinate Gamal Abdel Nasser. These helped to bring about his downfall. He is also known for his drinking, outlawed by Islam.

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He was deposed in 1964 by a family coup with the backing of the ulema. Althought Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud would have been next in line for succession, he instead supported his half-brother Faisal as the new king. Saud went into exile in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1966 Saud was invited to live in Egypt by president Nasser.

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Saud died in Athens, Greece in 1969.

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January 12: January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 353 days remaining (354 in leap years)....

1902: 1902 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar)....

February 23: February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 311 days remaining, 312 in leap years....

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