An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "After more than twenty years of distinguished service as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America, wherein His Royal Highness Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz demonstrated exceptional gifts and rendered outstanding services to his King and his country. His Royal Highness has recently appealed to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to relieve him of his duties for private reasons. And, in appreciation of these reasons, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has graciously agreed to this request. At the same time, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has issued his orders to start the process of nominating His Royal Highness Prince Turky Al-Faisal for the post of Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America."