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.
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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.
