U.S. President Barack Obama Monday congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Saudi people on the selection of Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as the Crown Prince and his appointment as Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense. “As Governor of Riyadh region and then Minister of Defense, Prince Salman has served his country with dedication and honor over the past five decades," Obama said in a statement. “I had the pleasure of receiving him at the White House last April and know that he is a man of deep faith who is committed to improving the lives of the people of Saudi Arabia and to the security of the region." “The United States looks forward to continuing our strong relationship with Crown Prince Salman in his new capacity as we deepen the longstanding partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia," the President said.
