Saudi King Salman replaces Hajj and Umrah minister

Royal decrees name new heads of Supreme Administrative Court and civil aviation authority

Saudi Arabia's King Salman announced several new high-level appointments in royal decrees issued on March 12, 2015. SPA / AFP

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman replaced the kingdom's minister for Hajj and Umrah in one of several changes to high-level posts announced by royal decree on Friday.

Essam bin Saad bin Saeed will take over the duties of Hajj and Umrah minister from Mohammad bin Taher Benten while continuing in his role as Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers, according to the royal decree reported by the state Saudi Press Agency.

The king also appointed Sheikh Ali Al Sa’awi as head of the Supreme Administrative Court, replacing Sheikh Ibrahim Al Rasheed, SPA said.

Abdul Aziz Dahilj was named head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation in place of Abdulhadi Al Mansouri, SPA said, while Mr Al Mansouri was appointed to the post of Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Executive Affairs.

King Salman relieved Muhammad Al Salami of the post of Assistant Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, while appointing Maher Al Qasim as Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for the Civil Service.

The Saudi king also appointed Abdulaziz Al Arifi as assistant to the Minister of Transport, and Samir Al Tabib as an adviser to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, SPA said.

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