Saudi King appoints new faces to key posts

Riyadh, Apr 13: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has appointed new chiefs for the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and the Saudi Railways Organization (SRO), among a number of top government appointments announced Friday.

Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Hussain is the new SPA head, according to the royal order. SPA was established in 1971 as the Kingdom’s official news agency. Last year the Council of Ministers made a decision to separate Saudi television and radio and SPA into two independent organizations.

Muhammad bin Khaled Al-Sowaiket is the new president of the SRO.

The king also appointed Fahd bin Muhammad Al-Jubair as the new mayor of the Eastern Province at excellent rank.

Saleh bin Abdul Rahman Al-Shohayyeb is the new deputy minister of the civil service at excellent rank.

Suleiman bin Abdul Rahman Al-Quwaiz is the new governor of the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI).

Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Mishaal is the new executive president of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority.

In another order, the king appointed Abdul Aziz bin Jamaluddin Al-Saaty as the president of King Faisal University in Al-Ahsa in the Eastern Province, replacing Yusuf Al-Jundan at his request, the royal order said.

The king also replaced President of the Shaqra University Saeed Al-Mulla with Khaled bin Saad Saeed.

In addition, Abdul Rahman Al-Shaqawi was replaced as director general of the Institute of Public Administration by Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Shoaiby at excellent rank, another royal order said.

The king also appointed Riyad bin Kemal Najm as the chairman of the General Commission for Audio and Visual Media.

Najm told Arab News that his appointment is to help develop the media sector in the Kingdom. “The Council of Ministers is now studying the commission bylaw, which will be referred to the Shoura Council for approval,” he said.

Najm plans to secure investments in the sector and to bring back Saudi satellite stations now based outside the Kingdom. “We will ensure investors place their money inside the country in a way that does not contradict our principles,” he added.