RIYADH — Emirs, princes, ministers, ulema, officials, and citizens welcomed the royal decrees issued early Wednesday by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman announcing new appointments in the leadership and a Cabinet reshuffle. Shoura Council President Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has consolidated, with the appointment of new crown prince and deputy crown prince, the principle of selecting the fittest leaders to carry out major responsibilities. Minister of Justice and Supreme Judicial Council Chairman Waleed Al-Samaani said Prince Muhammad Bin Naif and Prince Muhammad Bin Salman are well-known for their practical wisdom in serving the religion and the nation as well as in supporting the causes of the Muslim Ummah. Prince Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Bin Musaed, emir of the Northern Border Region, lauded the matchless leadership qualities of Prince Muhammad Bin Naif and Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, saying “they enjoyed sagacious vision and wisdom and matchless leadership capabilities as was evident while combating terror and foiling terrorist plans as well as at the time of the ‘Decisive Storm' operation.” Prince Faisal Bin Khaled, emir of Asir region, said the orders of King Salman will herald a new age of growth and development through choosing the fittest administrators in building the nation and safeguard its capabilities and march it toward a prosperous future. Minister of Labor Mofrej Al-Haqbani commended the efficiency and expertise of Prince Muhammad Bin Naif in both political and administrative fields. “We know Muhammad as a successful prince and administrator who is well-known for his humility as well as for practical wisdom in tackling issues,” he said. Secretary General of the Board of Senior Ulema Sheikh Fahd Saad Al-Majed said: “We laud these selections by King Salman. We wish assistance and success from Allah in the huge responsibilities and tasks they have been assigned by the ruler. They are capable of carrying them out.” Secretary General of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr. Muhammad Hamad Al-Kathiri said: “The royal orders are farsighted for the Kingdom's future. The country under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the crown prince and deputy crown prince will continue to be an oasis of security, stability, development and growth.” Earlier Wednesday, King Salman appointed Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, as crown prince, deputy premier and interior minister, after relieving Prince Muqrin from his post on his request. Prince Muhammad is keeping continues as chairman of the Political and Security Affairs Council. Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, the defense minister, has been appointed deputy crown prince and second deputy premier in addition to his current portfolio at the head of the Defense Ministry and chairman of the Economic and Development Affairs Council. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the long serving foreign minister, has been relieved from his position on his own personal request for health reasons. He has been replaced by Adel Al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington. However, Prince Saud has been appointed state minister, cabinet member, adviser and special envoy to the king and supervisor of foreign affairs. Muhammad Al-Jasser has been relieved from his post as minister of national economy and planning and replaced by Adel Fakeih, who has left his portfolio as labor minister. Al-Jasser has been appointed adviser at the royal court with a ministerial portfolio. Dr. Mansour Bin Nasser Bin Abdullah Al-Hawwasi, deputy health minister for health affairs, has been relieved from his post. Nura Bint Abdullah Al-Faiz, deputy minister of education for girls education, and Hamad Bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, deputy education minister for boys education, have been relieved from their posts. Mohammed Bin Hamza Bin Bakr Bin Khushaim, deputy health minister for planning and development, has been relieved as per his request. The king also ordered a month's bonus for staff in all military and security sectors including officers, privates and technicians.
