Nayef named as new Saudi crown prince foreign minister

According to the decree, Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been appointed as the new heir to the throne. Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir was also appointed as the new foreign minister replacing Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud after four decades of service.

"We have decided to respond to his highness and what he had expressed about his desire to be relieved from the position of crown prince," the official Saudi Press Agency said, quoting a statement from the royal court.

According to the decree issued on Wednesday, Muqrin, 69, was relieved of his position as deputy prime minister too.

The decree also said that Muhammad bin Nayef will act as deputy prime minister and will continue to hold his position of interior minister and head of the political and security council.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz became Saudi king after Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud died at the age of 90 in January.

Following his succession, Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz was named as the new crown prince.

The new king appointed the kingdom's Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef as the new deputy crown prince. The 55-year-old, the grandson of the founder of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz ibn Saud, is the first of his generation to be placed in line for the throne.

Salman also named his own son Mohammed as the new defense minister.