President congratulates Saudi Crown Prince

Saba
SANA’A, Dec. 12 (Saba) – President Ali Abdullah Saleh phoned on Saturday the Saudi Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, congratulating him on his return home after a long treatment trip.President Ali Abdullah Saleh assured the health of the Saudi Crown Prince, wishing him and all the Saudi people good health and more progress.Crown Prince Sultan thanked President Saleh, voicing his appreciation of his brotherly feelings.Saudi Crown Prince and Minister of Defense and Aviation Sultan bin Abdul Aziz returned home on Friday after more than a year’s absence in Morocco following medical treatment in the United States. Prince Sultan was greeted at Riyadh airport by King Abdullah and dozens of members of the ruling Al-Saud royal family, and other government officials.King Abdullah pardoned an unspecified number of prisoners for minor crimes in honor of the sultan’s return, the official SPA news agency said.Sultan left for the United States for treatment on November 23, 2008.Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was born in Riyadh in 1926.He was appointed Governor of Riyadh in 1947. He became Minister of Agriculture in 1953 and Minister of Communications in 1955.King Faisal appointed him the Kingdom’s Minister of Defence and Aviation in 1962.In 1982, on the accession of King Fahd, Prince Sultan was named Second Deputy Prime Minister.On the death of King Fahd on 1st August, 2005, Sultan became Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister.AF