King Abdullah
Head of State: King Abdullah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud

Saudi Arabia has been ruled since its foundation by the Al Saud dynasty. King Abdullah succeeded the late King Fahd, his half brother, in August 2005.
King Abdullah is seen as a cautious reformer
As crown prince, Abdullah had been the effective ruler of Saudi Arabia since the former king suffered a stroke in the mid-1990s.
He became heir to the throne in 1982, commanded the powerful National Guard and was considered to be the most influential figure in the country. He is a former mayor of Mecca. His son, Mutib, is deputy commander of the National Guard.
Abdullah is said to have forged alliances with other members of the ruling family to offset the influence of his seven half brothers. Known as the "Sudayri Seven", they are the most powerful alliance within the ruling family.
He is seen as being untainted by corruption - giving credibility to his drive to stamp it out - and to favour reforms which are balanced with a respect for Saudi traditions.
Regarded in the Arab world as a supporter of wider Arab interests, he has criticised US support for Israel and Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory.
King Abdullah is believed to have been born in 1924. He received a traditional religious education and is close to the Saudi tribal way of life, often spending periods of time in the desert.
Second deputy prime minister: Prince Sultan Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud
Foreign minister: Prince Saud al-Faysal Bin-Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
Interior minister: Prince Nayif Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud

Country Profile: Saudi Arabia

One of the most devout and insular countries in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has emerged from being an underdeveloped desert kingdom to become one of the wealthiest nations in the region thanks to vast oil resources. 

Named after the ruling Al Sa'ud family, who first came to power in the 18th century, the country includes the Hijaz region - the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the cradle of Islam. This fact, combined with the Al Sa'uds' espousal of a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam known as Wahhabism, has led it to develop a strongly religious self-identity. 

SAUDI FACTS 
Population:24.2 million (UN, 2003)  
Capital: Riyadh
Major language: Arabic
Major religion:Islam
Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 74 years (women) (UN) 
Monetary unit: 1 Riyal = 100 halalah
Main exports: Oil, gas, cereals  
Annual average income:US $8,460 (World Bank, 2001) 
Internet domain:.sa
International dialling code: +966