king abdul aziz al-saud died in 1953. his son, who was named saud, became the king. he reigned for 11 years. in 1964, he was forced to step down, and his half-brother, faisal, became the king. faisal had the support of the senior members of the royal family and the religious leaders. faisal also held the post of the prime minister. this tradition of being both the king and the prime minister still continues in saudi arabia. all kings after faisal have followed this practice.