Saudi King names new housing minister, replaces head of royal court

 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia on Monday named a new housing minister and replaced the head of the royal court in his latest government shuffle.

A decree named Minister of State Khalid bin Abdulrahman Al Issa to replace Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Suwailem as head of the royal court. 

Suwailem had held the post since late April when he took over from Salman's son Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of a major shake-up which saw the king's son named Deputy Crown Prince and second in line to the throne.

Mohammed bin Salman is also defence minister and holds other positions.

The king at that time also named Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef as crown prince.

A day later, King Salman further streamlined administration by merging the royal court with the crown prince's court, based on a suggestion by Mohammed bin Nayef, official media said at the time.

A separate royal decree on Monday named Majid bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Hugail as housing minister.

The decree described Hugail as a professor.

The kingdom is building hundreds of thousands of homes for its citizens in an effort to address a severe shortage.

Another royal decree named Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah bin Musaid bin Jalwi Al Saud as governor of the Northern Frontier Province which borders Iraq to replace the previous governor who died this month.

Prince Mishaal had been serving as an adviser to the king.

Source: Timesofoman