Jeddah - SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah reshuffled the Defense Ministry on
Wednesday, appointing Prince Khaled bin Bandar deputy defense minister.
King Abdullah issued another decree appointing Prince Turki bin Abdullah the new Riyadh
governor in place of Prince Khaled.

Prince Khaled replaces Prince Salman bin Sultan, while Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Ayesh
has been appointed assistant defense minister and Gen. Abdul Rahman bin Saleh Al-Binayan
chief of general staff, replacing Gen. Hussein Al-Qubail.
Prince Salman bin Sultan was relieved of his position upon his request, a Royal Court
announcement said.

Gen. Hussein Al-Qubail, former chief of staff, has retired, while Gen. Fayadh bin Hamid
Al-Ruwaili, former commander of the air force, has been appointed deputy chief of staff.
Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Shualan, who has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant
general, is the new air force commander.

Gen. Dakhilallah Al-Waqdani, commander of the naval force, has retired and Lt. Gen.
Abdullah Al-Sultan has been appointed new naval chief. The Royal Court said Prince
Khaled, Prince Turki and Al-Ayesh would hold the rank of minister.