Saudi reshuffles Council of Ministers

King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud yesterday issued a royal decree reshaping the country’s cabinet. A royal decree was also issued to restructure the Political and Security Affairs Council, headed by the Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The surprise shake up saw the appointment of a new National Guard chief and the replacement of the information minister and the head of the tourism authority, but the ministries of energy and finance were left untouched. Ibrahim al-Assaf, a former finance minister will replace Adel al-Jubeir as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, a royal decree said. 

Jubeir will act as the minister of state for foreign affairs. In other significant appointments, Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz was appointed as Minister of National Guard, Turki Shabbaneh as Minister of Media, while Hamad alSheikh was appointed Minister of Education. Faisal bin Khalid was replaced by Turki bin Talal as Governor of the Asir region. Sultan bin Salman has been moved from the presidency of the Tourism Authority and appointed as Chairman of the Space Authority, which was established under the name of Saudi Space Authority.

The Authority shall have a Board of Directors appointed by Royal Order. In other changes, Badr bin Sultan has been replaced by Faisal bin Nawaf as Governor of Jouf region. Musa’ad al-Aiban was appointed as National Security Adviser. Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal has replaced Turki al-Sheikh as president of the Sports Authority, while Turki al-Sheikh has been appointed as Chairman of the Entertainment Authority. Khalid bin Qarar al-Harbi has been appointed the Director of Public Security.

Bader bin Sultan was appointed Deputy to the Governor of Mecca and Eman al-Mutairi as assistant to the minister of commerce. Under the orders, a body will be established on behalf of the General Organisation for Exhibitions and Conferences. The Authority will have a Board of Directors appointed by a Royal Decree. Dr. Majid Bin Abdullah al-Qasabi will be appointed as Chairman of the Board.