Jeddah, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, has deputized Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the deputy prime minister and minister of defence, to administer the affairs of the state and take care of the interests of the people during his absence.

The king is in Casablanca, Morocco, for a private holiday.

At Muhammed V International Airport, the king was received by Abdelilah Benkirane, Morocco’s prime minister; Muhammad Bu Saeed, the governor of Casablanca; Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz; Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Bishr, the Saudi ambassador to Morocco; a number of senior Moroccan officials; and members of Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Morocco.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) issued the following statement:

“King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, based on Article 66 of the Statute of the Rule issued according to the Royal Order No. (A/90) dated May 31, 2013 … has accordingly deputized Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to administer the affairs of the State and take care of the interests of the people during his absence outside the Kingdom.”