Saudi Arabia: Prince Salman Appointed Defense Minister
By Arab News
Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz has been appointed defense minister, state TV announced on Saturday citing a royal decree.
Salman’s appointment follows the death last month of Crown Prince Sultan, who had held the position for about 50 years.
The decree also split the defense ministry from the aviation ministry and appointed as deputy defense minister Prince Khaled bin Sultan, who served as assistant defense minister to his father, Crown Prince Sultan.
Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz was named Riyadh governor after long serving as deputy governor under Prince Salman.
The post of Riyadh governor is seen as one of the most important in the country and was previously held by both Crown Prince Sultan and Crown Prince Naif, as well as by Prince Salman.
