Saudi King appoints son to head Makkah Province

Tuesday, 24 December 2013 00:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Saudi King Abdullah on Sunday appointed his son Prince Mishaal as Governor of Makkah Province, one of the most prominent jobs in the country, the latest move in a rolling reshuffle of senior ruling family members over the past two years. He replaces Prince Khaled al-Faisal, who has been made Education Minister, a move that may revive stalled educational reforms aimed at reducing the influence of religious conservatives, Saudi analysts said. The appointments were announced in a royal decree carried by State media in the world’s top oil exporter, where moves among senior princes are closely watched for their impact on the country’s opaque succession process. Since 2011, a series of deaths, retirements and promotions mean most top government positions held by princes, plus the three top provincial governor jobs, have switched hands after decades with little change. Analysts have said the changes reflect a desire by King Abdullah, who is thought to be 90, to establish his sons and other allies in key positions for the future. Mishaal, the new Makkah Governor, was previously governor of Najran Province on the border with Yemen. The job of Makkah governor carries big administrative responsibilities because the province has a large population, as well as symbolic importance through its guardianship of Islam’s holiest site and hosting of the annual Haj pilgrimage. Unlike in European monarchies, the Saudi succession does not pass directly from father to eldest son, but has moved along a line of brothers born to the kingdom’s founder King Abdulaziz, commonly known as Ibn Saud. Abdullah’s heir is Crown Prince Salman, who is 78. After Salman, most analysts believe only two of Ibn Saud’s living sons, Prince Ahmed and Prince Muqrin, might have a chance to become king. After that, one of Ibn Saud’s hundreds of grandsons must be chosen. Besides his own sons, Abdullah has also promoted nephews to other top jobs, including interior minister, intelligence chief, Eastern Province governor, Riyadh governor and deputy defence minister.