RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has named his powerful interior minister as heir to the throne and a son as second in line, under a shakeup that also saw the world’s longest-serving foreign minister replaced.
Mohammed bin Nayef was named crown prince and deputy prime minister in a high-level reshuffle of the country’s top jobs.
Bin Nayef will replace King Salman’s half brother Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz as next in line to the Saudi throne.
The move comes amongst several other new appointments, including the King’s son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as deputy crown prince and second in line.
Prince Saud al-Faisal, the world’s longest-serving foreign minister, “asked to be relieved from his duties due to his health condition” according to state media.
His replacement, Washington ambassador Adel al-Jubeir, is the first person outside the royal family to hold the role.
In a royal decree published by state media, King Salman said the reshuffle was approved by the majority of the family’s Allegiance Council.
He said he was following in the footsteps of his brother and predecessor, King Abdullah bin Adbulaziz, in seeking the most suitable candidates for leadership roles.
King Salman was announced as the monarch when King Abullah died in February, after 10 years as head of the country.
Every Saudi king since 1953 has been the son of Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, the country’s first monarch.
If he had kept his position as heir, Prince Murquin would have been the last of Saud’s sons to rule.
Traders watch oil prices
Internal reshuffles in Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil producer, often move global oil prices.
Former head of oil giant Saudi Aramco Khalid al-Falih was appointed health minister in the shake-up.
Falih’s replacement as head of Aramco, which he led since January 2009 after a 30-year career in the company, was not immediately named.
The post of Aramco chairman is held by oil minister Ali al-Naimi, himself a former chief executive of the company, who kept his ministerial position.
Traders said they were closely observing who would become Aramco’s new chief executive and whether oil minister Naimi’s position would be impacted.
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