Saudi Arabia.. Royal orders to change senior military positions

On Thursday, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a number of royal orders appointing new leaders to senior military positions.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that a royal order was issued to end the service of Lieutenant General Mutlaq bin Salem bin Mutlaq Al-Azimgh, Commander of the Joint Forces, by referring him to retirement as of the date of this order and appointing him as an advisor to the Royal Court with the rank of Lieutenant General.

Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Ghufaili, Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces, was also relieved of his post and appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff with the rank of Lieutenant General.

The royal orders included relieving Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Mutair, Chief of Staff of the Land Forces, of his position and appointing him as an advisor in the office of the Minister of Defense with the rank of Lieutenant General.

It also included the promotion of Major General Fahd bin Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Salman to the rank of Lieutenant General, and his appointment as Commander of the Joint Forces (in Yemen).

The orders stipulated the promotion of Major General Fahd bin Saud bin Dhuwaihir Al-Jahni to the rank of Lieutenant General and his appointment as Chief of Staff of the Land Forces.

It also decided to promote Rear Admiral Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Hamed Al-Gharibi to the rank of Lieutenant General and appoint him Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces.

The official agency also reported the issuance of a royal order relieving Dr. Samir bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Tabib, advisor at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, of his position and appointing him as an advisor at the Ministry of Defense with the excellent rank.