SAUDI Arabia’s King Salman has sworn in new officials to take over from a powerful prince and former minister believed to be detained in a large-scale sweep.
The official Saudi press agency released images yesterday of the swearing-in of new national guard chief Prince Khalid bin Ayyaf al-Muqrin and new economy minister, Mohammad al-Tuwaijri.
Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, who for years had led the national guard, and Adel Fakeih, who had led the economy ministry, were both arrested as part of what is believed to be an anti-corruption probe led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The arrests began late on Saturday.
Eleven princes and 38 officials and businessmen are being held at five-star hotels in Riyadh.
A company chaired by one detained billionaire prince sought to reassure investors after its stock plunged following his arrest.
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s Kingdom Holding Co said in a statement it has the Saudi government’s “vote of confidence” as it pursues its global business operations.
Prince Alwaleed is chairman of the company, which has investments in Twitter, Apple, Lyft, Citigroup and hotel chains Four Seasons, Movenpick and Fairmont.
Chief executive Talal al-Maiman said the company is focused on its “unwavering responsibilities” to shareholders but made no reference its chairman’s arrest.
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