Saudi Arabia Restores Public Sector Perks Amid Grumbling
He also promoted two of his own sons to important positions, naming Prince Khaled bin Salman ambassador to Washington
and Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman state minister for energy affairs.
Since ascending to the throne in 2015, King Salman has delegated tremendous power to one of his
sons, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 31, who is defense minister and second in line to the throne.
Prince Abdulaziz, the new state minister for energy affairs, was previously deputy oil minister.
By BEN HUBBARDAPRIL 23, 2017
BEIRUT, Lebanon — King Salman of Saudi Arabia rescinded salary cuts for ministers
and restored financial perks for public sector workers in a series of royal decrees late Saturday.
Prince Khaled, the new ambassador to Washington, is a former fighter pilot in the Saudi Air Force who has done academic work
and military training in the United States, according to Al Arabiya, a Saudi-owned satellite network.
The decrees also elevated two of King Salman’s sons, empowering his branch of the vast royal family that has ruled the country since the 1930s.