LONDON, 19 September — Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, the newly appointed minister of water, yesterday highlighted the Saudi government’s efforts to develop and preserve water resources in various parts of the Kingdom.

He said his ministry was still in the formation stage and would not be able to answer questions on the current water situation in the country. "Such answers should be based on facts and figures rather than hopes and aspirations," he added.

Speaking to Saudi Press Agency, Gosaibi said the water sector had been receiving great care and attention from Saudi leaders since the time of King Abdul Aziz.

Gosaibi, who was Saudi ambassador to Britain, commended the efforts made by Agriculture and Water Minister Dr. Abdullah Muammar and Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Muhammad Al-Jarallah to promote the country’s water sector.

Gosaibi expressed happiness over the period he spent in Britain as the Kingdom’s ambassador. "The years I spent in London were among the happiest period in my life," he said, adding that his friends inside and outside the British government made his stay in Britain "a good and inspiring experience."

Gosaibi expressed satisfaction over the strong level of Saudi-British relations.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd appointed Gosaibi as minister of water on Monday. He had held the portfolios of health, industry and electricity in previous cabinets.

Born in Al-Ahsa on March 2, 1940, Gosaibi obtained a licentiate in law from Cairo University in 1961 and a master’s and a PhD in international relations from South California University (in 1964) and London University (1970) respectively.

He has worked as associate professor at King Saud University, the dean of the Faculty of Commerce and head of the department of political science at the university, as legal consultant for Saudi-Egyptian Peace Committee in Yemen and director general of Saudi Railways Organization.

While he was the minister of electricity, Gosaibi made the proposal to establish Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), which has now grown into the world’s largest petrochemical exporter. He was chairman of Jubail Petrochemical Company (Sadaf) and the Yanbu Petrochemical Company (Yanpet).

He also served as a member of the Public Investment Fund, the Supreme Manpower Council and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu. He was Saudi ambassador to Bahrain from 1984 to 1992 when he was posted in London.