Saudi's new ruler reshuffles cabinet

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia's new King Salman announced a cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, according to local media report.

The country's new ruler also kept in place Oil Minister Ali al- Naimi, Finance Minister Ibrahim Alassaf and Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.

According to the order, he appointed new ministers of justice, Islamic affairs, agriculture and information and a new intelligence chief.

The King also replaced two of the late King Abdullah's sons, who were governors of top provinces.

Apart from that, King Salman also combined the Education Ministry and Higher Education Ministry, and replaced the Supreme Council for Petroleum and Minerals Affairs with a new agency, the state TV quoted the royal decree as sayingread out on state television.

A week ago, then Saudi King Abdullah, ruler of the world's largest oil exporter for almost a decade, died at the age of 90. Shortly after his death, his half-brother, former Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, received the pledge of allegiance as the new king.