Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Lt. Gen. Saeed bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani, Assistant Minister of Interior for Operations, passed away on Friday after a brief illness.

Funeral prayers were held at King Khalid Grand Mosque following Asr prayer.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Minister of Interior, performed the funeral prayer for the late Al-Qahtani and, following the prayer, conveyed the condolences and sympathy of the Kingdom’s leadership to the sons and family of the deceased.

He prayed that God grant him vast mercy, eternal rest in paradise, and patience and solace to his family.

Prince Abdulaziz had earlier paid tribute to Al-Qahtani in a post on X, describing him as a model of high ethics, honesty and integrity who devoted 60 years of service to his leadership and country through the Ministry of Interior.

Al-Qahtani was regarded as one of the most senior and influential security leaders in the ministry, overseeing key security and operational files, including Hajj security.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, he played a central role in strengthening field performance, modernizing security operations and raising readiness across multiple sectors.

He began his security service after graduating from King Fahd Security College in 1390 AH, when he was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned to field and operational duties. Throughout his early years, he completed numerous specialized training courses that shaped his professional and operational expertise.

Al-Qahtani held a wide range of posts during his career. He served as Director of Supply at the General Directorate of Prisons, an investigations instructor at the Criminal Evidence Institute, and Director of the Office of the Assistant Director of Public Security for Criminal Security.

He later became Director of Criminal Security in the Holy Sites between 1990 and 1994, Assistant Commander of the Hajj Security Forces for Criminal Security, Director of Makkah Police, Deputy Commander of the Hajj Security Force, Director of Public Security, and ultimately Assistant Minister of Interior for Operations.

His work focused heavily on criminal security, counterterrorism, combating narcotics and organized crime, and developing police stations and security facilities.

He was also known for his role in building human capital, contributing to the training of investigators and the preparation of specialized curricula during his tenure as an instructor.

In later years, Al-Qahtani led major development phases within public security, overseeing organizational restructuring, operational readiness and the integration of modern security technologies. His appointment as Assistant Minister of Interior for Operations in 1435 AH marked the culmination of a career defined by operational discipline, institutional development and service to national security.