Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman named PM

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been named the kingdom’s prime minister in a Cabinet reshuffle ordered by King Salman, according to a royal decree published by the official Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Prince Mohammed is already de facto ruler of the world’s largest oil exporter, and the appointment formalises his role as leader of the kingdom’s government.

The crown prince, known by his initials MBS, previously served as deputy prime minister as well as defence minister. He is being replaced as Defence Minister by his younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, who was deputy Defence Minister.

By appointing MBS as Prime Minister, a role previously – and typically – held by the king, the 86-year-old monarch continues a slow but steady transfer of power in the kingdom. The 37-year-old crown prince was already in charge of many of the kingdom’s major portfolios, including the economy, defence, oil, and internal security.

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