Saudi Arabia's Prince , Mohammed bin Salman , Formally Named Head of the Government.<br />On September 27, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince <br />Mohammed bin Salman was named <br />the kingdom's prime minister.<br />On September 27, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince <br />Mohammed bin Salman was named <br />the kingdom's prime minister.<br />Al Jazeera reports that the royal decree <br />formalizes Salman's role as the leader <br />of the kingdom's government.<br />Previously, the crown prince served <br />as Saudi Arabia's deputy prime <br />minister and the defense minister.<br />His younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, <br />will replace him as defense minister after<br /> serving as the deputy defense minister.<br />His younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, <br />will replace him as defense minister after<br /> serving as the deputy defense minister.<br />Al Jazeera reports that the royal decree <br />is another sign of King Abdulaziz's slow <br />and steady transfer of power in the kingdom.<br />Al Jazeera reports that the royal decree <br />is another sign of King Abdulaziz's slow <br />and steady transfer of power in the kingdom.<br />Traditionally, the role of prime minister is held<br />by the king, who will continue to act as head <br />of state and chair cabinet meetings he attends.<br />In 2016, Prince Mohammed unveiled Vision 2030, which <br />aims at making Saudi Arabia the heart of the Arab and <br />Islamic world and a hub connecting three continents.<br />In 2016, Prince Mohammed unveiled Vision 2030, which <br />aims at making Saudi Arabia the heart of the Arab and <br />Islamic world and a hub connecting three continents.<br />Al Jazeera reports that the ambitious initiative looks to diversify and privatize the kingdom's economy, while also reducing its reliance on oil.<br />Al Jazeera reports that the ambitious initiative looks to diversify and privatize the kingdom's economy, while also reducing its reliance on oil.<br />Since rising to power, Saudi Arabia has seen <br />a massive crackdown on dissent, with <br />activists, royals and businessmen jailed.<br />Since rising to power, Saudi Arabia has seen <br />a massive crackdown on dissent, with <br />activists, royals and businessmen jailed.<br />Earlier in 2022, the crown prince met with U.S. President <br />Joe Biden in an attempt to rebuild relations after <br />the killing of Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in 2018.<br />Earlier in 2022, the crown prince met with U.S. President <br />Joe Biden in an attempt to rebuild relations after <br />the killing of Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in 2018
