The death of Lieutenant General Saeed Al-Qahtani: The passing of one of the pillars of Saudi security
The Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia mourned today, Friday, the passing of His Excellency Lieutenant General Saeed bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani, Assistant Minister of Interior for Operations, who passed away after a life dedicated to service and achievements in the nation. The Ministry issued an official statement offering its condolences to the leadership and the nation on the loss of one of its most prominent and loyal security figures.
According to the obituary, the funeral prayer for the deceased will be held at the King Khalid Mosque in Riyadh after the Asr prayer today, Friday, July 20, 1447 AH. Condolences for men will be received starting tomorrow, Saturday, from after the Asr prayer until the Isha prayer at the deceased's residence in the Al-Qayrawan neighborhood. We ask God Almighty to have mercy on him and grant him Paradise.
Prominent security and historical value
The passing of Lieutenant General Saeed Al-Qahtani is not just a passing news item in security circles; it marks the closing of a distinguished chapter in the history of security work in the Kingdom. The deceased served for more than five decades, witnessing pivotal stages in the development of the Saudi security apparatus. He is regarded as one of the leading figures who contributed effectively to the modernization of the security sectors, as his service coincided with major security challenges, which the Kingdom was able to overcome thanks to God and then to the competence of its dedicated men like him.
The deceased's professional journey began after his graduation from King Fahd Security College in 1390 AH, where he was appointed as a lieutenant and immediately began field work. From the outset, he distinguished himself by his commitment to academic and practical training, completing numerous specialized courses that honed his skills in leadership and criminal investigation.
Clear fingerprints in criminal security and Hajj
The deceased rose through the ranks to hold sensitive leadership positions that formed the backbone of public security. From the prison supply department, he moved on to make his mark in criminal security, contributing to the development of national expertise through his work as an investigation instructor at the Criminal Evidence Institute. He did not limit himself to the theoretical aspect, but also led investigation units in the field in the holy sites (Arafat and Mina) for many years, which gave him extensive experience in crowd management and crisis handling during the Hajj season, a task that requires high precision and decisiveness.
In 1412 AH, he assumed command of the Criminal Investigation Division and later the Criminal Security Department, where he spearheaded development efforts to enhance field performance and combat crime using modern methods. His extensive experience proved crucial when he was appointed Assistant Commander of the Hajj Security Forces for Criminal Security in 1414 AH, where he contributed to developing strategic plans to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims.
Public Security Command and the Modernization Phase
His tenure as Director of Public Security, beginning in 1425 AH (2004/2005 CE), is considered one of the most significant milestones in his career. This appointment came at a time when the Kingdom was waging a fierce war against terrorism, and Al-Qahtani contributed his extensive experience to strengthening security measures and developing monitoring and surveillance mechanisms. Under his leadership, Public Security witnessed significant leaps in organization, the adoption of modern technologies, and the reinforcement of the concept of comprehensive security.
The deceased concluded his professional career by being appointed Assistant Minister of Interior for Operations in 1435 AH, continuing his advisory and leadership role until his death, leaving behind a legacy of discipline and dedication that is emulated by members of the security sector.
