SAUDI ministers were left red-faced after a high school textbook - which was meant to depict a powerful moment in Arab history - published a photo of late King Faisal sitting next to Yoda from Star Wars.

Social studies students were shocked during their lesson on the United Nations as the historic photo of the late King was almost eclipsed by the little green Jedi master.

4 The Saudi government are rushing to withdraw copies of a social studies textbook which depicts late King Faisal next to Yoda Credit: SHAWEESH/GHAREM STUDIO

Embarrassed ministers are scrambling to withdraw copies of the history book.

Ahmed al-Eissa, the Saudi education minister insisted he had no idea how the photo ended up in the book.

He told the New York Times: "The ministry has began printing a corrected copy of the decision and withdrawing previous versions."

The government even went to extreme lengths to form a legal committee in a bid to find the source of the error.

But Saudi artist Shaweesh was proud of his photo, which was part of a series that showed film characters added to photographs of major moments in Arab history.

He told the BBC he included Yoda alongside King Faisal who was signing the UN charter, because Yoda is just as "wise, strong and calm".

4 Ahmed al-Eissa, the Saudi education minister said the entire ministry regrets the error Credit: Twitter/Silent Ruins

4 Saudi officials insist they have no idea how the artwork ended up in the textbook but claim new editions are already being published Credit: Twitter/Silent Ruins

Although he insisted he did not mean to cause offence.

Shaweesh added: "Everyone loves King Faisal here, even the younger generations", but said someone should have checked the book before it went to publish.

4 Artist Shaweesh said he initially created the image because Yoda is wise like the late King Credit: Twitter/Silent Ruins

Photos of the error went vial in Saudi Arabia. The 26-year-old Saudi artist named, Abdullah al-Sheri said he received many positive responses from King Faisal fans.

The 2013 black and white image was originally featured alongside a photo which shows Darth Vader standing behind Lawrence of Arabia and the Iraqi King at the Paris peace conference in 1919.

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