RIYADH – Newly appointed Second Deputy Premier Prince Muqrin Bin Abdul Aziz took the oath of office before Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah at the King's Palace here Sunday. The King also administered the oath of office to the new Emir of the Eastern Province Prince Saud Bin Naif and Emir of Madinah Prince Faisal Bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported. While taking the oath, Prince Muqrin and the two emirs said: “I swear in the name of Allah the Almighty that I will be loyal to my religion, then to my King and to my country. I will not divulge the state secrets; and I will safeguard the interests of the State, its regulations, and discharge my duties with truth, trustworthiness and sincerity.” After the swearing-in ceremony, King Abdullah congratulated the princes and urged them to serve their religion, country and the people. The King said: “People are most important for us. Your people would be pleased with your words and deeds based on justice, fairness and truth. Give first priority to Shariah. “Winning the pleasure of people is difficult, but truth is truth. Serving religion and nation is a matter of pride for you, and an honor for you and your nation as well.” Prince Muqrin, who is also Adviser and Special Envoy to the King, Prince Saud and Prince Faisal thanked the King for the trust reposed in them. They assured the King that his directives would guide them in discharging their duties. Those who attended the swearing-in ceremony included Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense; Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khaled Bin Sultan, General Intelligence Chief Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Prince Miteb Bin Abdullah, Interior Minister Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, Special Adviser and Supervisor of the Crown Prince's Office Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, Minister of Finance Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Dr. Musaed Bin Muhammad Al-Ayban and a number of senior officials. King Abdullah issued a decree Friday appointing Prince Muqrin as the Second Deputy Premier. In royal decrees issued on Jan. 14, the King appointed Prince Saud Bin Naif and Prince Faisal Bin Salman as emirs of the Eastern Province and Madinah, replacing Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd and Prince Abdulaziz Bin Majed respectively. – SG
