Saudi King announces new heir and reshuffles cabinet

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz has relieved his younger half-brother of his duties as crown prince and appointed his nephew, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, as the new heir apparent, Al Jazeera reports.

Salman relieved Crown Prince Muqrin from his post, reportedly upon his reques and Mohamed bin Nayef, 55, the grandson of the founder of Saudi Arabia, was appointed crown in addition to his role as minister of interior.

The cabinet reshuffle was announced by royal decree via state television early on Wednesday.

Al Jazeera added that the moves represented a major change in Saudi Arabia as it was the first time that a grandson of the founder of the country [Ibn Saud], rather than a son, was appointed crown prince.

Khalil Jahshan, the executive director for the Arab Centre of Washington from Fairfax, Virginia, said that the reshuffle constitutes a "political earthquake of the greatest magnitude".

"The Saudi Arabia we knew a few hours ago is no longer," Jahshan said, adding: "These are serious changes that will have repercussions not only domestically but also internationally.

Jashnan added that this was a very decisive answer to doubts expressed by experts over King Salman’s health, decisiveness and control over political matters, since he came to power.

In addition, Salman also appointed his son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as deputy crown prince, and replaced veteran foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal with the kingdom's Washington ambassador Adel al-Jubeir.

Faisal "asked to be relieved from his duties due to his health conditions," said the royal decree published on the official Saudi Press Agency, adding that he was appointed as an adviser and a special envoy of King Salman, as well as a supervisor on foreign affairs.

The latest nominations, part of King's Salman second cabinet reshuffle since he acceded the throne on January 23, come amid increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and its regional rival Iran, following the kingdom's military intervention in neighbouring Yemen.

Also announced via royal decree, labour minister Adel al-Fakieh was appointed as economy and planning minister, and Mufrej al-Haqbani was appointed as labour minister according to state television.

King Salman, 79, came to power in January after the death of his half-brother, King Abdullah at the age of 90.