The king issued 26 decrees that specified changes in the Royal House and Government of this Arab nation among which stands out the removal of his younger half brother Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, for desire his own desire, as his successor to hand over the post to his nephew bin Nayef, of 55 years old.
Local media noted that bin Nayef, also interior minister, is known for its hard line in the offensive of the Wahhabi kingdom against radical Islamist groups, and evaluated the changes as a sign of the king to put a new generation in the line of succession.
He also appointed his son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, of aproximatly more than 30 years and defense minister, second heir to the crown, while removing Al-Faisal from the post of foreign minister in favor of the current Saudi ambassador in the United States, Adel al-Jubeir.
Al-Faisal (of 75 years old) was in charge of the foreign Ministry for nearly 40 years, but asked to be released because of his deteriorating health, and instead Riad bet on an active diplomat who in the last month showed its hostile position towards Iran following the Yemeni crisis, pointed out the regional media.
One of the royal decrees appointed the already former Foreign Minister the responsibilities of minister of state, cabinet member, counselor and especial envoy of the custody of the of the Two Holy Mosques and Foreign Affairs supervisor.
In that sense, they considered unusual the designation of Al-Jubeir, because that position has always been reserved for a member of the royal family.
According to analysts, with responsibility attributed to bin Salman, who in the last month directed air strikes against Yemen, is defined for the first time that a grandson of King Abdulaziz Abdulrahman, the founder of the Saudi kingdom, is in line with the Government.
The princes bin Nayef and bin Salman, who made his debut yesterday when reeciving Eritrea president, Isaias Afwerki, also assume the posts of deputy prime minister and second deputy prime minister, respectively.
From the Government Palace in Riyadh, the king urged members of the Court and citizens to pledge allegiance and obedience to bin Nayef bin as heir and bin Salman as second.
The Royal House announced that the king removed Nora Al-Fayez, one of the women of highest political level, as Deputy Minister of Education for Girls, a position she held in 2009 and from which she put pressure for sports plans for girls in state schools, despite the rejection of conservatives religious.
The Wahhabi monarch, of 78 years old, ascended the throne last January after the death of his brother, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who was over 90 years and was in charge of this nation since 1995, although after the death of his predecessor, he took office in 2005.
