2015-06-08

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 June 8th 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 – June 8, 2015

Jeddah, Sha’ban 21, 1436, June 08, 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 expressed his thanks and appreciation to the leaders and presidents of sisterly states for their condolences on the death of Princess Jawaher bint Abdulaziz Al Saud, praying to Allah Almighty to protect them from any harm.

The King briefed the Cabinet on the message received from Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, and the outcomes of his meetings with the Prime Minister of Republic of Lebanon Tammam Salam, and Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammed Najib Abdul Razak, stressing deep relations between the Kingdom and these sisterly countries and their keenness on enhancing them in various fields.

The Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Adel bin Zaid Altoraifi said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency following the session that the Cabinet was briefed on reports about issues on local affairs and latest developments of events at regional, Arab and international arenas.

The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of attempts aimed to destabilize the security and stability of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commending Bahraini security authorities for thwarting a terrorist plot associated with foreign terrorist parties aimed at undermining security and stability in the Kingdom of Bahrain, emphasizing the importance of concerted efforts to eradicate terrorism in all its forms.



The Cabinet expressed the Kingdom’s denunciation of the continuing policy of racial discrimination and ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, reiterating the Kingdom’s positions calling for the need to address such a policy in the framework of the resolutions of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations and the principles of universal human rights.

The Cabinet commended the contents of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ speech upon receiving senior officials and those interested in the fight against corruption in the public and private sectors on the consensus in the Kingdom in the fight against corruption emanating from the teachings of the Holy Quran and Prophetic Sunnah and that the greater fighter of corruption is the application of Islamic (Sharia) Law, in addition to the speech’s clarification of what the Kingdom enjoys of security, stability, harmony and meeting on the holy Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah and his directives for all to report about anything detrimental to the citizen and homeland.

The Cabinet also extended thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his order to treat the citizens who sacrificed their lives for thwarting the execution of the terrorist crime that targeted worshipers inside Al-Hussein mosque at Al-Anoud neighborhood in Dammam as the martyrs of duty and to award them the Medals of Bravery, stressing that what is shown by the Saudi people with all its categories and their unity against terrorism is the best response to the tools of sedition and those who stand behind this terrorist crime, hailing the significant progress being made by the investigations into these terrorist incidents which resulted in the arrest of many of related parties and the access to the important information about parties with varying links to those elements and tragic criminal incidents.

The Cabinet hailed the Saudi forces’ ability, from various sectors, to repel an attack on several axes in Jizan and Najran sector from the Yemeni side to penetrate the borders of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the aggressors in addition to confront the enemy’s projectiles with courage and destroy its mechanisms and equipment, praying to Allah Almighty to accept the martyrs and bestow His mercy on them.

The Minister of Culture and Information said that the Cabinet was briefed on a report on the preparations and operational plans by all government and private bodies in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques ordered, in this regard, various relevant agencies to provide the visitors of the Two Holy Mosques with all the services and requirements that facilitate for pilgrims and visitors the performance of their rites in comfort and ease and contribute to the performance of the worshipers’ prayers in reverence and tranquility, praying that Allah Almighty may accept the best of good deeds from the every one during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Cabinet stressed that the King’s approval to raise the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management from the level of the Arab world to the level of the Islamic world to include members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation confirms the Kingdom’s great interest in the environmental issue, serves and contributes to solutions to environmental issues at Arab, Islamic and international levels, and its keenness on stimulating environmental action in the Muslim world.

On the other hand, the Cabinet stressed that the King’s patronage and attendance of the final match of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for the Current Sports Season between Al-Nasr and Al-Hilah teams reflect his interest in the youth and athletes in the homeland, his support, honoring, encouragement, and keenness on their appearance at honorable levels in various forums.

Dr. Adel bin Zaid Altoraifi said that the Cabinet was briefed on the topics on its agenda and took the following decisions:

First:

After reviewing the report of the President of Saudi Commission for Wildlife, and the decision of the Shura Council No. (54/30) dated 25/06/1436 H., the Cabinet decided to approve the addition of a new paragraph to Article (seventh) of trafficking in wild-beings endangered with extinction and their products, the text shall be as follows:

The Committee may set forth in paragraph (a) of this article, inclusion to its decision of the sentence a text to publish its summary at the expense of the violator in a local newspaper in his place of residence, and if there is no newspaper in place of residence in the nearest neighborhood, or publish it in any other appropriate means, according to the committed offense, its enormity and impact.

Second:

The Cabinet authorized the President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, or his deputy, to discuss with the French side a draft memorandum of understanding for scientific and technical cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of France, sign it and submit the final version for further regular procedures .

Third:

The Cabinet authorized Acting Minister of Housing – or his deputy – to discuss with the Russian side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of housing between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Russian Federation, sign it, and submit the final version for further regular procedures.

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Agriculture – or his deputy – to discuss with the Russian side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fields of agriculture between the Ministry of Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, sign it, and submit the final version for further regular procedures.

Fifth:

The Council of Ministers decided to approve the application of a number of decisions of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States issued in its session (thirty-fifth), held in Doha on 17/02/1436 AH, including the following:

1- Adoption of the Gulf plan ‘updated’ (2014- 2025) for non-communicable disease prevention and control.

2- Continuing work as a guideline with all the unified rules and principles for the integration of financial markets in the Gulf Cooperation Council which had already been adopted by the Supreme Council until the completion of the unified rules system for the full integration of the financial markets of the Council’s states, and ensuring harmonization and compatibility with each other.

3- Adoption of the Declaration on Human Rights of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States.

4- Adoption of the unified food system of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a guideline for two years.

5- Approval of the outcome of the Customs Union Commission with respect to some requirements of the final phase of the customs union.

The Cabinet authorized President of 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 Cameroon in the field of air transport services, and then submit the final version for further regular procedures.

Seventh:

The Cabinet approved appointments at ranks 14 and 15 as follows:

1- Dr. Musaed bin Ibrahim bin Rashid Al-Hudaithi as administrative adviser (rank 15) at Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance.

2- Dr. Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz bin Saad Al-Harthy as Under-Secretary for Reconstruction and Projects(rank 15) at Jeddah Municipality.

3- Abdullah bin Mudlej bin Nasser Al-Mudlej as Secretary General of King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance (rank 14).

4- Abdulrahman bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Tuwaijri as Director General at the branch of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance in Riyadh (rank 14).

The Cabinet was briefed on two annual reports of General Organization for King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, and Communications and Information Technology Commission for two fiscal previous years, and issued its directives in this regard.

–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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