Yesterday, Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman issued a series of royal decrees that restructure the government ministers, “eliminating numerous government bodies, establishing new government bodies and merging the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Education and much more,” SUSRIS reports.
Of the 8 Minsters that were appointed by King Abdullah less than two months ago, only one kept his position – Abdullah Al-Muqbil (Transportation). All others were replaced.
New Minister Position |
New Minister under Salman |
Recently Appointed under Abdullah |
Outgoing Minister on 12/8/14 |
Ministry of Health* |
Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib |
Mohammed Alhayazie |
(Labour Minister) Adel al-Faqieh |
Ministry of Education, Formerly Higher Education* |
Dr. Azzam bin Mohammed Al-Dakhil |
Khaled Al-Sabti |
Khaled bin Mohammed Al-Anqari. |
Ministry of Communication* |
Dr. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel |
Fahad bin Shafaq al-Hamad |
Mohammed Jamil bin Ahmad Mulla |
Ministry of Islamic Affairs* |
Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh |
Sulaiman Abalkhail |
Saleh Al-Asheikh |
Ministry of Agriculture* |
Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli |
Walid Al-Khereiji |
Fahd bin Abdulrahman Balghuneim |
Ministry of Transportation |
Abdullah Al-Muqbil |
Abdullah Al-Muqbil |
Jabara Al-Seraisry |
Ministry of Culture and Information* |
Dr. Adel bin Zaid Al-Turaifi |
Abdul Aziz Al-Khodairy |
Vacant |
Ministry of Social Affairs* |
Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qusaibi |
Sulaiman Al-Humaid |
Yousuf bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen |
King Salman replaced the head of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), which takes place at a crucial time for the Kingdom as it prepares to open its stock market to foreign investment. Mohammed al-Sheikh was replaced by Mohammed Jadaan.
King Salman also replaced two sons of King Abdullah as Governors of Riyadh and Mecca. The new Governor of Riyadh is Prince Khalid bin Faisal, and the new Governor of Mecca is Prince Faisal bin Bandar.
The King raised eyebrows with the appointment of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the position of Minister of Defense and Chief of the Royal Court. Prince Mohammed bin Salman, born in 1980, is the youngest Minister in the decrees yesterday and now holds one of the most powerful positions in the Saudi government.
However, some major ministers are left unchanged – Petroleum and Natural Resources, Labor, Commerce, and Foreign Affairs will see no change in Minister.
As SUSRIS reports, Salman also merged the Ministry of Higher Education with the Ministry of Education.
Click here to visit SUSRIS.com an see a full list of the changes implemented by King Salman.
