Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Crown Prince and Second Deputy Premier, visited Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of the Kingdom and President of the Council of Senior Ulema and the Department of Religious Research and Ifta, at Security Forces Hospital in Riyadh on Sunday. Sheikh Abdulaziz pledged allegiance to Prince Muqrin as deputy crown prince, wishing him all success in performing his duties and serving the religion and nation. — SPA Saudi Gazette report RIYADH – Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Crown Prince and Second Deputy Premier, received here on Sunday afternoon groups of princes, scholars, sheikhs, ministers, the speaker and members of the Shoura Council, senior civilian and military officers and a large numbers of citizens, who came to greet him and pledge allegiance to him as deputy crown prince. At Al-Hokm Palace, Prince Muqrin was greeted by Prince Khaled Bin Bandar, Emir of Riyadh region; Prince Turki Bin Abdullah, Deputy Emir of Riyadh region and Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja in addition to Chief of Royal Protocol; president of the affairs of the citizens at the Royal Court and a number of officials. Prince Muqrin accepted the allegiance pledge from the audience. The Emirs in various regions of the Kingdom also accepted the pledges of allegiance on behalf of Prince Muqrin. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Minister of Education, presented on behalf of the Ministry of Education and students the pledge of allegiance to Prince Muqrin and congratulated him on his appointment as deputy crown prince. Prince Khaled said the royal decree confirms the keenness of the leadership to adhere to Islam which is the foundation of the system of government in the Kingdom. A Royal decree issued on Thursday appointed Prince Muqrin as deputy crown prince besides continuing as the second deputy premier. “Prince Muqrin will receive oath of allegiance as crown prince in case the position becomes vacant, and as king in case the positions of king and crown prince become vacant,” the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) cited the decree as saying. Prince Muqrin thanked King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, for appointing him as deputy crown prince. In cables sent to the King and the crown prince, Prince Muqrin thanked for the trust bestowed on him, praying to Allah Almighty to grant him success in serving the religion, King and the country. Prince Muqrin was named second deputy premier on Feb. 1, 2013. Born in 1945 in Riyadh, Prince Muqrin got his higher education in Royal Air Force College Cranwell, United Kingdom. In 1965, he was appointed assistant to air operations manager and head of plans and operations division in the Royal Saudi Air Force. In 1977, he became Emir of Hail region. He was moved to Madinah as its Emir in 1980, a post he held till 1999. During 1999-2005, Prince Muqrin acted as chairman of General Intelligence and then was appointed Special Envoy and Adviser to King Abdullah, the posts he continues to hold.
