Saudi King Salman has radically reshuffled his cabinet and succession, naming his youngest son as deputy crown prince and appointing Aramco CEO Khalid al-Falih as his surprise choice for health minister on 29 April. Mr Falih was also named Aramco Board Chairman in place of Oil Minister Ali Naimi.
Amid this week’s wide ranging Saudi reshuffle, long-serving Oil Minister Ali Naimi remains in place for now. But what happens next is anyone’s guess. Analysts expect little change to oil or Opec policy, so long as Mr Naimi is at the helm of the ministry he has led for more than two decades. However, the speed with which the new Saudi king has consolidated his own power and that of his immediate family, since assuming the throne at the end of January indicates that further reshuffles cannot be ruled out. (CONTINUED - 2352 WORDS)
