Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011
(Changes emphasis of first paragraph, adds context.)
RIYADH (Zawya Dow Jones)--Saudi Arabia changed the heads of the central bank and trade and economic ministries on Tuesday as part of a broad-based cabinet shuffle.
Authorities gave no immediate public explanation for the changes, announced Tuesday by Saudi state news services.
The reshuffle comes two months after Interior Minister Prince Nayef succeeded to the position of crown prince, the second-most influential position in Saudi Arabia.
Muhammad Al-Jasser stepped down as head of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, the country's central bank, but was appointed instead to head the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
Al-Jasser, who had been SAMA governor since 2009, succeeds Khalid bin Mohammad Al-Gosaibi as economy minister, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Abdullah bin Fahd al-Mubarak was named as the new central bank governor, and Tawfiq bin Mohammed al-Rabiah was appointed as Saudi Arabia's minister of trade and industry, replacing Abdullah Alireza, the state news agency said.
The reshuffle, made by decree of Saudi King Abdullah, changed the leaders of a number of other ministries and entities, including Education and the country's advisory council.
Key ministries, such as Interior, Foreign Affairs, Defense and oil, were left unchanged.
-By Ellen Knickmeyer, Dow Jones Newswires; 966-1-279 5252; ellen.knickmeyer@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
13-12-11 1850GMT
