New Saudi succession plan may mark sea change for kingdom’s future

Saudi King Salman has appointed a new heir, making his young son second in line to rule on Wednesday, a major shift in power within the ultra conservative Saudi elite at a time of almost unprecedented regional turmoil. By making Interior Minister Mohammed bin Nayef, 55, crown prince and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman, 30, deputy crown prince, King Salman has effectively decided the line of succession for decades to come in the world’s top oil exporter.

We have decided to respond to his highness and what he had expressed about his desire to be relieved from the position of crown prince.

Statement by the royal court

The reshuffle also cements relations with the U.S.: Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who replaces Prince Muqrin, the successor chosen by the late King Abdullah before his death in January, enjoys closer personal ties with U.S. officials than almost any other senior royal, diplomats have said. In another big shift, Salman replaced veteran Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, who had served in the role since October 1975, with the kingdom’s Washington ambassador Adel al-Jubeir, the first non-royal to hold the post.

Middle East