Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef has been relieved of his post and replaced by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a promotion that confirms him as next ruler of the kingdom.
For years, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, has been the kingdom’s counter-terrorism chief who put down an al Qaeda campaign of bombings in 2003-06.
But Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who becomes deputy prime minister and retains his Defence and other portfolios, has been responsible for running Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen.
His promotion was approved by the kingdom’s Allegiance Council just as the king called for a public pledge of loyalty to Salman on Wednesday in Mecca.
