Retaining his top position for the second consecutive year, Saudi prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud became the richest Arab in the world, followed by the Ethiopian-Saudi Investor Mohammad Al Amoudi, according to the Forbes list of billionaires.
Saudi Arabia and Lebanon contributed the highest number of billionaires, closely followed by Egypt, despite the recent political and economic turmoil.
Forbes Middle East's Editor-in-Chief Khuloud Al-Omian said: The motivation behind publishing this list is to deliver the powerful message, that behind these billions lay wealthy individuals who have fought long and hard, and given generously ... These success stories present lessons to be learned that money cannot buy, and serve as an inspiration to us all.
Click on 'Start' to view the slideshow of the Top 5 Arab Billionaires
Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud retained his top position with a fortune of $ 18 billion despite a recent drop in wealth. A significant portion of his net earnings -- about $10.7 billion – is from a 95% stake in his Saudi-listed diversified investment company, Kingdom Holding Co., whose assets include shares in Apple, Citigroup and part of the Four Seasons Hotels.Alsaud is pictured arriving at the Afghan presidential palace to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul March 18, 2008. REUTERS/Ahmad MasoodInvestor of Arabian-Ethiopian descent, Mohammad Al Amoudi started investing in Sweden in 1970s. He made his first fortune investing in construction business in Saudi Arabia. He recently expanded into agriculture in Ethiopia.Pictured: Ethiopian farmers collect wheat in their field in Abay, north of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, October 21, 2009.ReutersSaudi Arabian businessman Sulaiman Al Rajhi became prosperous by cofounding one of the world’s largest Islamic banks, Al Rajhi Bank. Rajhi, who recently announced his plans to donate a portion of his wealth to charity, has 23 children.Sulaiman al Rajhi is pictured addressing a news conference in Riyadh May 15, 2011. REUTERS/Fahad ShadeedNassef Sawiris, who runs Orascom Construction Industries in Egypt, recently announced his decision to split its construction and fertilizer business.Pictured: Bruno Lafont (L), chief executive of French building material Lafarge, shakes hands with Nassef Sawiris, director and chief executive of Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) in Paris, December 10, 2007. REUTERS/Benoit TessierThe eldest son of Egyptian billionaire Onsi Sawiris is the executive chairman of the telecommunications companies Wind Telecom and Orascom Telecom Holding.Pictured: Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris smiles before a news conference in downtown Rome September 12, 2005.
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