Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, November 2007, page 61

Diplomatic Doings

Ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir Hosts National Day Celebration

AMBASSADOR TO the U.S. Adel A. Al-Jubeir hosted a reception at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, DC on Sept. 6 in honor of the Kingdom’s 77th National Day. The anniversary of King Abdulaziz Al-Saud”˜s founding of the modern Kingdom in 1932 is observed annually on Sept. 23, but this year’s reception was held early because that date falls during Ramadan.

The ambassador greeted hundreds of guests, including U.S. officials, members of Congress, Arab and Muslim ambassadors, as well as leaders of the Saudi community and their families.

Ambassador Al-Jubeir, who comes from a distinguished non-royal family, was appointed ambassador by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz on Jan. 29, 2007 to replace Prince Turki Al-Faisal. He speaks flawless English and German, as well as Arabic, and can out-think any panelist on the media circuit. The ambassador obtained a B.A. summa cum laude in political science and economics from the University of North Texas in 1982, and an M.A. in international relations from Georgetown University in 1984.

Al-Jubeir’s first posting as a member of the Saudi Diplomatic Service was in 1987 to the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, DC, where he served as special assistant to the ambassador. In 2000 he served as director of the Saudi Information and Congressional Affairs Office in Washington, a position now held by Adel’s brother, Nail Al-Jubeir. That fall he returned to Saudi Arabia and was named foreign affairs adviser in the Crown Prince’s Court. When Abdullah bin Abdulaziz became King in August 2005 Al-Jubeir became adviser at the Royal Court.

Ambassador Al-Jubeir, who has lectured at universities in the U.S. and appeared frequently in the media, clearly enjoyed seeing familiar faces and renewing old friendships.

—Delinda C. Hanley