Khaled Al Hakim
Khaled Al Hakim (also Khaled al-Hakim ; Arabic خالد الحكيم; * 1878 in Homs , Ottoman Empire ; † 1944 in Damascus ) was a Syrian diplomat and first advisor to the Saudi King Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud .
Life
He was the closest confidante of the first king of Saudi Arabia and at the same time was primarily responsible for decision-making issues, such as the procurement of military accessories and foreign policy issues in the pioneering years of the Gulf state, which was founded in 1932. He cultivated relationships with Joachim von Ribbentrop and other high-ranking German politicians, as he was able to establish contacts with German politicians in connection with the construction of the Hejaz Railway in his capacity as an engineer before the end of the Ottoman Empire .
As a diplomat, he spoke eight foreign languages, including fluent German and French .
During and after the First World War he fought first against the Italians , the Ottomans and finally against the French occupying powers near Tripoli , who sentenced him to death in absentia for participating in rebellious activities.
At the request of the Prince of Nejd Province, Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud , he left Syria with his family and was honored with Saudi nationality for his services.
Today a street named after him in the Ar Rabwah district of the capital Riyadh commemorates him. His family residence is still today in the diplomatic quarter of Damascus, Al Muhajrin, at 20 Nazem Basha Street شارع ناظم باشا.
His descendants now live in Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Germany .
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Hakim, Khaled Al |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | خالد الحكيم (Arabic); Hakim, Khaled al- |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Syrian diplomat |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1878 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Homs , Ottoman Empire |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1944 |
| Place of death | Damascus |