Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia was expected to name a defense minister
in the wake of the death of Crown Prince Sultan.

Saudi sources said King Abdullah has decided not to transfer the Defense
Ministry to Sultan’s son, Prince Khalid, now deputy defense minister. They
said the king would appoint his half-brother, Prince Salman, as defense
minister.

“Khalid has already been told that he will not succeed his father, but will remain deputy defense minister,” the source said. “There is a consensus that the next generation [of princes] is not ready to take over the leading positions of power.”

Salman, governor of Riyad since 1962, has been regarded as one of the most powerful members of the Saudi royal family. The 76-year-old Salman, the youngest of the seven heirs to Saudi founder King Abdul Aziz, is a full brother of the new crown prince, Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz, believed to be running the kingdom on a day-to-day basis.

Over the last few days, the state-controlled Saudi media have praised the relationship between Khalid and Salman in wake of Sultan’s death. Khalid was also named chairman of the state-supported Prince Sultan Charitable Foundation in what could signal a new direction for the former Saudi Air
Force pilot.

“There was a consensus during the meeting to continue the charitable
programs initiated by Prince Sultan,” Khalid said. “We’ll support this
organization with all our strength.”

Khalid had been directing the daily affairs of the Defense Ministry
since at least 2009 as his father’s health deteriorated, the sources said.
But they said Khalid was not granted the authority to decide on major
procurement projects, which resulted in delays in efforts to modernize the
Saudi military.

In late 2010, the United States approved a Saudi request to purchase $60
billion worth of fighter-jets, helicopters and munitions. So far, no
contracts have been signed.

  Defense Ministry, King Abdullah to appoint his half-brother as Saudi defense minister, Prince Khalid, Prince Salman, Saudi royal family