Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd restructured the cabinet Wednesday, making significant changes to governmental bodies in charge of economy and information, reported SPA.
The cabinet reshuffle, only the third change of government in 30 years, includes the elimination of several ministries and the merger of others, while maintaining major posts. The dissolved ministries include public works and housing, industry and electricity with their functions being integrated into other existing branches.
The ministry of finance and national economy was trimmed down to finance and the national economy department was merged into the planning ministry. The ministry of posts, telegraphs and telecommunications was changed to ministry of communications and information technology. The information ministry was re-branded the Ministry of Information and Culture.
The cabinet bade farewell to ministers of commerce Osama Faqih, health Osama Shobokshi, agriculture Abdullah Bin Moammer, Municipal and Rural affairs Mohammad Al-Jarallah and transport Nasser Al-Salloum. State ministers Ali Al-Jahani, Madani Ollaqi, Abdul Aziz Al-Mane and Mohammad Al-Sheikh were also stripped of their positions.
Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz remains as First Deputy Premier. Key ministers from the Al-Saud ruling family also retained their posts. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
