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Saudi Arabia Forms State Security Directorate | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives princes, ministers, citizens (SPA)


Jeddah– Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued on Thursday a number of royal decrees, including an order to form a state security directorate that would report to the prime minister.

The new body – named the “Presidency of State Security” – will be headed by intelligence chief Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Howairini, who will hold the rank of minister.

Howairini will also keep his post as Director General for General Investigations, according to the decree.

The new chief of the State Security was assigned as well, as member of the Council for Political and Security Affairs.

Several departments, which were part of the interior ministry, will be annexed to the new directorate, including the departments of investigations, special security forces, special emergency forces, security aviation, technical affairs, national information center, and other departments in charge of financial investigation and combating terrorism.

Another royal order appointed Abdullah bin Abdulkareem bin Abdulaziz Al-Isa, as assistant chief of the State Security in the rank of minister.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also issued on Thursday a decree that provides for the establishment of Al-Dareya Gate Renovation Commission. The board of directors of the commission will be chaired by Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Prince Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf Al Miqren, Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Sammari and Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Sultan as members.

Other decrees issued on Thursday included the establishment of a Royal Commission for Al-Ola province. The relevant decree stipulated that the Prime Minister would appoint the Commission’s chairman and members of the board of directors.

The decree stressed the importance of developing Al-Ola province as a Saudi historical and cultural landmark, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to promote the country’s legacy, among other goals.

Two royal orders have stipulated the establishment of a Falcons Club and a Camels Club, which would be both supervised by the Crown Prince.

Another decree appointed Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Guwaiz as head of the Board of Directors of the Stock Market commission in the rank of minister.