Saad Al Silawi, a prominent Jordanian journalist and broadcaster who was in the limelight with his exclusive interviews on prominent Middle East leaders, including former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, former Palestine Liberation Organisation leader Yasser Arafat and the late King Hussein of Jordan is no more .

He battled with cancer and was aged 55. Saad was a pioneer journalist-broadcaster, and in 1992 reported for the newly established Middle East Broadcasting Center — now known as MBC Group — which was the first independent pan-Arab TV channel.

Both King Hussein and Arafat had asked Saad to be their media adviser, an offer he turned down saying: “I was born a journalist and I want to be a journalist.” He could get access to many world leaders like U.S.President Barack Obama and George Bush with his unique style of interviews and the ability to put sharp and intelligent questions. Saad was always active even when disease caught hold of him .

He made it a point not to be sad about it but wanted to fight it out bravely.
He then joined MBC's sister channel Al Arabiya on its formation in 2003, and served later as its Jordan bureau chief. Saad’s illustrious career included a stint at Al-Rai, where he covered several wars and crises, including the Iraq-Iran conflict in the 1980s, the first Gulf War and the first and second Palestinian intifadas.

He was awarded the Jordanian Medal for Distinguished Giving by His Majesty King Abdullah II .

Saad was also known for his social and humanitarian works. Based in Jordan , he has taken initiative for many fund raising projects for the needy in Jordan. His career with MBC and Al Arabiya gave him wide opportunity to report from across the Arab world. He will be remembered as a brave and outspoken journalist with many added feathers to his credit. He leaves behind a large circle of friends and well wishers .