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.
Hajj 2020 amid Covid-19 - in pictures
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Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. AFP -
Pilgrims pray on Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage amid the Covid-19 pandemic in July 2020. AFP -
Pilgrims praying on Mount Arafat amid the Covid-19 pandemic. AFP -
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah in August last year. AFP -
A woman pilgrim prays after throwing pebbles as at Jamarat Bridge during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina in August 2020. AFP -
Pilgrims pray after throwing pebbles at the Jamarat Bridge during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina in August 2020. AFP -
A pilgrim throws pebble during the Hajj pilgrimage in Mina in August 2, 2020. AFP -
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. AFP -
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. AFP -
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. AFP -
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba in August 2020 on the final day of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. AFP -
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba at the centre of the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah. AFP -
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba in August 2020 on the final day of the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. AFP -
Pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque on August 5, 2019. AP Photo -
Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba on August 5, 2019. AP Photo -
Hajj would usually see millions of Muslims visit Saudi Arabia, but coronavirus muted last year's festival. AP -
Pilgrims pray during the Hajj pilgrimage on the Mount Arafat on August 20, 2018. EPA -
Pilgrims pray at Jabal Al Rahma holy mountain at Arafat for the annual hajj pilgrimage on August 20, 2018. AP Photo -
Pilgrims gather around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah on August 8, 2019. AFP
