(MENAFN) According to a royal decree issued on Tuesday by the official Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been designated the kingdom's prime minister in a cabinet reshuffle ordered by King Salman.
Prince Mohammed is already the de facto ruler of the world's greatest oil exporter, and his appointment formalizes his status as the kingdom's leader.
The crown prince, abbreviated MBS, has previously served as deputy prime minister and defense minister. His younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, who was deputy defense minister, will take over as defense minister.
All other key ministers, including Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan, and Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih, were renewed in their positions by the royal order.
The 86-year-old monarch continues a cautious but steady transfer of authority in the country by naming MBS as prime minister, a post historically - and traditionally - held by the king.
The grounds for the appointment were not stated in the royal proclamation issued on Tuesday, but the state-run news agency SPA reported that the monarch, who remains head of state, will continue to chair cabinet sessions he attends.
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