Saudi King Reshuffles Cabinet, Orders Handouts

OREANDA-NEWS. February 02, 2015.Saudi Arabia's new king Salman bin Abdel-Aziz has moved to stamp his authority on the country, ordering a reshuffle that keeps in place the foreign, oil, finance, defence and interior ministers, and ordering large payouts to all employees and government benefit recipients.

Oil minister Ali al-Naimi, who has served since 1995, retains his position. King Salman reappointed one of his own sons, Abdul Aziz bin Salman as deputy oil minister, but elevated his rank to that of minister. While this could indicate that Abdul Aziz is being earmarked for the position of oil minister once the 79-year-old Naimi retires, the title of minister is given to many senior officials in Saudi Arabia, such as some provincial governors or directors of key government departments, even if they are not in charge of a ministerial portfolio.

Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf, foreign minister Saud al-Faisal and the ministers of economy and planning, labour, commerce and transport also kept their posts.

Salman abolished the Supreme Council for Petroleum and Minerals Affairs, headed by himself, replacing it with the Council for Economic and Development Affairs, headed by the minister of defence. The latter is prince Mohammad bin Salman, the king's son. The council's membership includes the oil minister, the justice minister, the finance minister, the labour minister, the housing minister, the water and electricity minister, the communications and information technology minister, the social affairs minister, the minister of municipal and rural affairs, the health minister, the civil service minister, the minister of culture and information, the agriculture minister and the education minister.

The king also established a second key council, known as the Council for Political and Security Affairs, headed by deputy crown prince Mohammad bin Nayef bin Abdel-Aziz. The latter's appointment last week to the post of deputy crown prince and second deputy prime minister indicates that he will succeed current heir apparent prince Miqrin bin Abdel-Aziz. Mohammad bin Nayef also holds the key post of minister of interior. Other members of the council include foreign minister Saud al-Faisal, national guard minister Mit'ib bin Abdullah – the late king's son, defence minister Mohammad bin Salman – the king's son, Islamic affairs minister Saleh bin Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, the head of the general intelligence service and two ministers of state without portfolio.

King Salman removed two of the late king Abdullah's sons from senior positions, appointing Faisal bin Bandar as governor of Riyadh in place of Turki bin Abdullah, and reinstating Khaled al-Faisal as governor of Mecca in place of Mishaal bin Abdullah.

All state employees, including retired employees receiving pensions, and students receiving government support will get two months' additional pay. The king also pledged large sums to some public and cultural clubs. The entire giveaway package is estimated at 110bn Saudi riyals.