2015-05-25

SUSRIS serves as your chronicle of developments in the Saudi-US relationship, in the Kingdom and in the region. As part of our service we archive the daily news reviews produced by the Saudi-US Trade Group and selected press clippings and other resources. You can find these archives and more on the SUSRIS Resources menu, including timelines, glossary, experts and officials lists, multimedia recordings, documents, and more.

Today we provide for the record the May 25th meeting of the Saudi cabinet chaired by King Salman, the first since the historic action to change the line of succession and to change key ministers.

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King Salman Chairs Cabinet’s Session – May 25, 2015

Jeddah, Sha’ban 07, 1436, May 25, 2015, SPA — The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet’s session at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Monday afternoon.

At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said that the enormity of the heinous terrorist crime targeted a mosque in Qudayh village is contrary to Islamic and human values, and we were all distressed by this heinous crime, stressing that the Kingdom’s efforts will never cease at anytime to fight the deviant thought, confront the terrorists and wipe out their hotbeds, affirming his directives that every participant, planner, supporter, collaborator, or sympathizer with this crime shall be accountable, tried and punished, offering his condolences to the families of the deceased people in Qudayh, praying to Allah Almighty to bless their souls and a speedy recovery for the injured people.

The Cabinet condemned the heinous crime targeted the mosque and resulted in bloodshed, killing innocents and violations of the sanctities of security, stability and the lives of secured citizens, considering the crime as unjust terrorist aggression from the spiteful criminals who shed the blood of Muslims and targeted worshipers, commending the achievements of the security authorities in the rapid detection of the perpetrator of this heinous crime and the arrest of most members of the terrorist cell to which he belongs and received its directives from ISIS terrorist organization abroad aiming to create a gap between the citizens of the homeland, spread hostility and seditions, and divide the unity of the society.

The Cabinet expressed its thanks and appreciation to scholars, sheikhs and citizens in all regions of the Kingdom, and everyone who condemned these criminal acts from around the world, praying to Allah Almighty for blessing the souls of the martyrs and a speedy recovery for the injured people, stressing the Kingdom’s firm positions on terrorism and its determination to pursue terrorists and those who stand behind them and everyone involved whether in inciting, financing or covering up.

The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Adel bin Zaid Altoraifi said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the results of his meeting with President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan and , the telephone call received from him; the telephone call received from President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine; and the two messages received from King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and President Maithripala Sirisena of the Republic of Sri Lanka.

Afterwards, the Cabinet listened to a number of reports about a number of issues on local affairs, and the latest developments on the regional and international arenas.

The Cabinet appreciated the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques upon receiving President of Human Rights Commission; President of the National Society for Human Rights, a number of senior officials, and men and women interested in human rights in the public and private sectors, and his confirmation that the foundations of this country were based on adherence to Islamic Sharia, which calls for maintaining and protecting human rights, that the establishment of the government system in the Kingdom was based on justice, consultation and equality, and that the judiciary is in the forefront of the State’s institutions concerned with the preservation and protection of human rights, in addition to his assertion that the regulations of the Kingdom stipulate for the independence of the judiciary to ensure justice and the right of litigation for all citizens and residents.

The Cabinet extended thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for patronizing the opening of a number of medical projects at King Abdulaziz Medical City of the Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh, reflecting his attention to the health of citizens and support for medical health projects as well as commitment to achieving further progress for the homeland and the citizens’ interests.

The Minister of Culture and Information said that with regard to the latest development on the regional and international arenas, the Cabinet appreciated, on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for Arab States, the Council’s integrated achievements in various fields and comprehensive cooperation enabled its States to contribute to strengthening of security and stability in the region and the world and deservedly proved its rooted foundations and the strength of its States’ correlation, commending the spirit of cooperation and interdependence among the peoples of the GCC countries and their achievements at various levels during its blessed march.

The Cabinet praised Riyadh Declaration and the final communique of the Riyadh conference for Saving Yemen and Building the Federal State, expressing the felicitations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s government and people to the Yemeni people and their legitimate government for the great achievements yielded by the conference demonstrating their cohesion and determination to draw a new future for Yemen.

The Cabinet lauded the message addressed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Yemeni people, including his congratulations to them, conveying the Kingdom as well as the coalition countries’ positions, and his confirmation of the Kingdom’s continual stand by the side of the brotherly Yemeni people to restore their natural position in the Arab surrounding. The Council expressed thanks to and appreciation of President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi’s feelings as well as the other conferees towards the Kingdom’s government and people, appealing to Allah Almighty every success for the brotherly people of Yemen to realize the outcomes of the conference to achieve the hopes and aspirations of the Yemeni people.

The Cabinet welcomed the results of the 46th session of the Arab Information Ministers Council, notably, the transitory plan to implement the Arab joint media strategy to combat terrorism and the meeting’s putting emphasis on the role of media to spread the values of tolerance and extremism combating, achieve Arab media integration in defense of Arab issues, topped by the Palestinian cause, and the importance of reforming the intellectual and vocational entity of the Arab joint media in what could serve the vital interests of the Arab countries and contribute to the world peace.

Dr. Adel bin Zaid Al-Toraifi said that the Cabinet was briefed on the issues inserted in the agenda of this session, including issues dealt with and studied by the Shura Council. It was also briefed on the relevant results of each of the General Committee of the Cabinet and the Cabinet’s Experts Commission. The Cabinet reached the following decisions:

First :

The Cabinet authorized the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior or his deputy to discuss with the Djiboutian side a draft security cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Djibouti, sign it, and then forward the final version for completing further regular procedures.

Second :

The Cabinet approved the memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Red Crescent and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which was signed in the city of Jeddah on 07/12/1435 AH.

Third :

The Council of Ministers decided the re-formation of the committee stated in Article (35) of the Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties and Industrial Samples, issued by Royal Decree No. (M / 27), dated 29/05/1425 AH, for a period of three years, effective 18/09/1436 AH, headed by Mutalq bin Abdullah Al-Hanaki, a regular expert with Saleh bin Auda Al-Atawi, adviser, Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al-Obaid, Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al-Amoud and Badr bin Abdulaziz Al-Garba, Regular Consultant.

Fourth:

The Cabinet decided to standardize the reward paid to members of board of directors of any governmental institution, commission or agency at SR2000 for each session, with a maximum of SR30,000 per year for each member whereas a non-staff who travels from outside the city which hosts the meeting is paid SR1500 added to it the price of a first-class return ticket from his city to the meeting’s site while other personnel will be treated according to the rules and regulations applied on them.

Fifth:

The Cabinet authorized the President of the General Civil Aviation Authority or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Botswana in the field of air transport services, and forward the final version for further authentication procedures.

The Cabinet was also briefed on two annual reports concerning the Saudi Geological Survey Commission, and the Competitiveness Council, for the fiscal year (1433/1434 h) and issued the relevant instructions.

–SPA

Officials of the Government of Saudi Arabia

Source: Saudi Press Agency, SUSRIS.com

Based on the January 2015 Royal Orders Restructuring with Updates

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Premier, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

1- Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud [Replacing Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud] Crown Prince, Deputy Premier. [As of April 29, 2015] Retains post as Minister of Interior.

2- Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud [Replacing Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud], Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier [As of April 29, 2015] Retains post as Minister of Defense.

3- Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir [Replacing Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud], Minister of Foreign Affairs. [As of April 29, 2015]

4- Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of State, Cabinet’s Member, Adviser and Special Envoy to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Supervisor of Foreign Affairs. [As of April 29, 2015]

5- Prince Mansour bin Miteb bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

6- Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of National Guard.

7- Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance.

8- Dr. Walid bin Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Samaani, Minister of Justice.

9- Dr. Matlab bin Abdullah Al-Nafisah, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers.

10- Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers.

11- Eng. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

12- Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, Minister of Finance.

13- Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Husayyn, Minister of Water and Electricity.

14- Dr. Mufrej bin Saad Al-Haqbani [Replacing Eng. Adel bin Mohammed bin Abdulqadir Faqih] Minister of Labor. [As of April 29, 2015]

15- Essam bin Saad bin Saeed, Minister of Housing. (Replaced Shwaish bin Saud Dhwaihi, Mar 11, 2015)

16- Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed bin Hamza Asaad Hajjar, Minister of Hajj.

17- Eng. Adel bin Mohammed bin Abdulqadir Faqih [Replacing Dr. Mohammed bin Suleiman bin Mohammed Al-Jasser] Minister of Economy and Planning. [As of April 29, 2015]

18- Dr. Mohammed bin Suleiman bin Mohammed Al-Jasser, Adviser at the Royal Court at the rank of Minister. [As of April 29, 2015]

19- Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan bin Mohammed Al-Rabiah, Minister of Commerce and Industry.

20- Mohammed bin Faisal bin Jaber Abu Saq, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers for Shoura Council Affairs.

21- Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Said, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers.

22- Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Muqbel, Minister of Transport.

23- Dr. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, Minister of Communications and Information Technology.

24- Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qusaibi, Minister of Social Affairs.

25- Dr. Saad bin Khalid bin Saadallah Al-Jabri, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers.

26- Mohammed bin Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers.

27- Eng. Abdullatif bin Abdulmalik bin Omar Al Al-Sheikh, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs.

28- Engineer Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Faleh [Replacing Mohammed bin Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, ACTING Minister of Health, who replaced Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib by Royal Order on Apr 11, 2015] as Minister of Health [As of April 29, 2015]

29- Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Araj, Minister of Civil Service.

30- Dr. Adel bin Zaid Al-Turaifi, Minister of Culture and Information.

31- Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli, Minister of Agriculture.

32- Dr. Azzam bin Mohammed Al-Dakhil, Minister of Education.

33- Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem to the post of Chief of Royal Court at Minister’s Rank. [As of April 29, 2015]

34- Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al-Essa, the Minister of State and Cabinet’s Member, to the post as Member at the Council of Political and Security Affairs. [As of April 29, 2015]

35- Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Yousef to the post as Chairman of Board of Grievances at Minister’s Rank. [As of April 29, 2015]

36- Dr. Nasser bin Rajeh bin Mohammed Al-Shahrani to the post of Deputy President of Human Rights Commission at Excellent Rank. [As of April 29, 2015]

37- Appointing of Dr. Amro bin Ibrahim Rajab to the post of Deputy Chief of the Cabinet’s Bureau of Experts at Excellent Rank. [As of April 29, 2015]

38- Appointing of Dr. Mansour bin Abdullah Al-Mansour to the post of Assistant General President of Youth Welfare at Excellent Rank. [As of April 29, 2015]

39- Assigning Dr. Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Jasser, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information to act as President of Radio and Television Commission in addition to his post. [As of April 29, 2015]

40 – Appointing Saleh bin Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Jasser to the post as Adviser at the Royal Court at Excellent Rank. [As of April 29, 2015]

41 – Appointing Prince Mansour bin Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the post of Adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques at the Rank of Minister. [As of April 29, 2015]

The Cabinet of Saudi Arabia as of January 29, 2015. (SPA)

OFFICIALS BY POSITION

CABINET MINISTERS & SENIOR OFFICIALS (as of April 29, 2015)

King — King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

Prime Minister — King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

Deputy Prime Minister — Prince Mohammed bin Naif [Nayef] bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Crown Prince)

Second Deputy Prime Minister — Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Deputy Crown Prince)

Minister of Agriculture — Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli

Minister of Civil Service — Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Araj

Ministry of Commerce and Industry — Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan bin Mohammed Al-Rabiah

Ministry of Communications and Information Technology — Dr. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel

Ministry of Culture and Information — Dr. Adel bin Zaid Al-Turaifi

Minister of Defense — Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Minister of Economy and Planning — Eng. Adel bin Mohammed bin Abdulqadir Faqih

Minister of Education — Dr. Azzam bin Mohammed Al-Dakhil

Minister of Finance — Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf

Minister of Foreign Affairs — Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir

Minister of Health — Engineer Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Faleh

Minister of Housing — Essam bin Saad bin Saeed, Minister of Housing

Minister of Interior — Prince Mohammed bin Naif [Nayef] bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Minister for Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call & Guidance — Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Al-Sheikh

Minister of Justice — Dr. Walid bin Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Samaani

Minister of Labor — Dr. Mufrej bin Saad Al-Haqbani

Minister of Municipal & Rural Affairs — Eng. Abdullatif bin Abdulmalik bin Omar Al Al-Sheikh

Minister of the National Guard — Prince Miteb bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources — Eng. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi

Minister of Pilgrimage Affairs [Hajj] & Religious Trusts — Dr. Bandar bin Mohammed bin Hamza Asaad Hajjar

Minister of Social Affairs — Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qusaibi

Minister of Transport — Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Muqbel

Minister of Water & Electricity — Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Husayyn

Minister of State — Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Cabinet Member, Adviser and Special Envoy to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Supervisor of Foreign Affairs.

Minister of State — Prince Mansour bin Miteb bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Member of the Council of Ministers, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Minister of State — Dr. Matlab bin Abdullah Al-Nafisah, Member of the Council of Ministers

Minister of State — Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Member of the Council of Ministers

Minister of State — Mohammed bin Faisal bin Jaber Abu Saq, Member of the Council of Ministers for Shoura Council Affairs

Minister of State — Dr. Essam bin Saad bin Said, Member of the Council of Ministers

Minister of State — Dr. Saad bin Khalid bin Saadallah Al-Jabri, Member of the Council of Ministers

Minister of State — Mohammed bin Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, Member of the Council of Ministers

Minister of State — Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al-Essa

Chairman, Supreme Ulama Council — Abd al-Aziz bin Abdallah AL Al-Shaykh

Governor Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency — Fahd bin Abdallah al-Mubarak

Ambassador to the United States — (Vacant)

Permanent Representative to the UN, New York — Abdallah bin Yahya al-Muallami

Chief of Royal Court — Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem

Adviser at the Royal Court — Dr. Mohammed bin Suleiman bin Mohammed Al-Jasser

Source: Saudi Press Agency, World Factbook, SUSRIS.com

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