Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, for years the kingdom's counter-terrorism chief who put down an Al Qaeda campaign of bombings in 2003-06, is relieved of all positions, the decree said.

 

He has pledged allegiance to the kingdom's new crown prince, reported Saudi state television.

 

Even as deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman has been responsible for running Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, dictating an energy policy with global implications and spearheading plans for the kingdom to build an economic future after oil, said the report.

 

The Royal Court said in a statement carried by SPA, that, the ruling of the Kingdom "shall be from the sons of the founding King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al-Saud and his sons of sons where the most promising of them are chosen to rule."

King Salman meanwhile appointed Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif as Interior Minister, a post held by the former Crown Prince, reported Emirati news agency Wam.

 

Al Arabiya television reported that the promotion of the prince was approved by the kingdom's Allegiance Council, and that the king had called for a public pledging of loyalty to Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday evening in Makkah.