ABU DHABI — Saudi King Abdullah plans to bring younger men into his Cabinet.
Saudi media said the reshuffle would include the retirement of senior
ministers, Middle East Newsline reported. They cited Foreign Minister Prince Saudi Al Faisal and Oil
Minister Ali Al Nueimi.
"It is up to the [king] to decide, and no one has the right to talk
about that except him," Saudi Crown Prince Sultan, who is also defense
minister, was quoted by the A-Sharq Al Awsat daily as saying. "What he
decides is good for all."
The Saudi news agency Elaph reported that Nueimi was expected to be
replaced as oil minister. Nueimi has been in the post for more than a
decade.
Elaph said Abdullah could also replace Culture and Information Minister
Eyad Madani, and Education Minister Khalid Al Anqari. The news agency,
regarded as independent, said the replacements would come from the Shura
Council.
Saud has been foreign minister for more than 30 years. He was said to be
suffering from ill health and was expected to be replaced by Prince Bandar,
the son of Sultan.
This would be Abdullah's first reshuffle since he became king in August
2005. In December 2006, the king recalled the Saudi ambassador to the United
States, Prince Turki Al Faisal, the brother of the foreign minister.
Western diplomats said the reshuffle was expected to take place in
February 2007. They said Abdullah has long sought to replace many members of
the 20-minister Cabinet with younger Saudis.
