Sunday, 26 June (Washington, DC) -- Saudi Arabia's longstanding ambassador to the United States, Bandar bin Sultan, has resigned, cleared his belongings from the Washington Embassy and returned to Riyadh with his staff, a senior Saudi diplomatic source in Washington has told the Saudi Information Agency, SIA News.
"He has left with all his belongings and almost the entire staff," the Saudi diplomat told SIA News.
Bandar's younger brother, Salman bin Sultan, is likely to be nominated as the next ambassador, the source said. Salman is currently the Administrative Attache at the Washington Embassy.
While "depression" is being cited as a possible reason for Bandar's resignation, there is also speculation that his dramatic return to Riyadh could be related to King Fahd's hospitalization.
If King Fahd's death is announced in the coming days or weeks, as seems increasingly likely, Bandar would want to be in Riyadh to secure his own future. His father, Defense Minister Sultan, will most likely become crown prince when King Fahd's half-brother, Crown Prince Abdullah, assumes the throne.
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