The Saudi dynasty

King Abdulaziz and his descendants

The Saudi dynasty consists of the descendants of Abderrahmane Ben Abdelaziz Al Saud, the founder of the third Saudi state and the first king of modern Saudi Arabia. He reigned for two decades, September 22, 1932 to his death on November 9, 1953. He has had no fewer than 36 girls and 53 son. In sixty years, six of them have succeeded to the Saudi throne. Here are their kingdoms:

- Saud: 1953-1964

- Faisal: 1964-1975

- Khaled: 1975-1982

- Fahd: 1982-2005

- Abdullah: 2005-2015

- Salman: 2015 -

Salman, the new king

Salman is the 25th son of Abdelaziz. Born in 1935, he began his career at the age of 20 years as governor of the capital Riyadh, a position he held until 2011, actively contributing to the development of this city, built in the desert. November 5, 2011, he was appointed defense minister by King Abdullah and the following year is chosen as crown prince following the death of his brother Nayef. Become number two in the kingdom, he then occupies a central place in the Saudi political life, especially as the king, old and sick, is increasingly absent. Salman regularly presides over the Council of Ministers and travels abroad, allowing it to gain international stature. On the death of Abdullah, January 23, 2015, he officially enters the Saudi throne. But his age (79 years) and his fragile health, suggest a short reign. He will be responsible for implementing the economic and social reforms, which began in the reign of Abdallah, and ensure the stability of the region, threatened by the conflict in the Middle East.

Moqren, Crown Prince

Born in 1945, Moqren is the youngest surviving son of Abdelaziz, the first king of Saudi Arabia. Graduate of Cranwell military school, he served first in the Air Force before becoming, in 1980, the Governor of Hael then to Medina. In 2005, he was appointed head of the intelligence services, which allows him to improve his knowledge of foreign policy. Seven years later, he became the personal envoy of King Abdullah, before being appointed a few months later the second vice president of the Council of Ministers. March 27, 2014, a royal decree announced his appointment as the future crown prince. It could become, in case of death of Salman, the eighth King of Saudi Arabia. Liberal, he is known for his hostility towards Iran.

The second generation

The current Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef was appointed 'future crown prince' 'by the new king Salman and finds herself second in the order of succession to the throne after his uncle Moqren. Son of Prince Nayef, who died in 2012, it could be the first king of the second generation, the grandchildren, son of King Abdul Aziz. Salman also appointed his son, Mohammed, another key position of the kingdom: the defense minister.