Saudi Arabia's crown prince named prime minister: Royal Orders

Saudi Arabia's crown prince has been named prime minister, a post traditionally held by the king, in a government shuffle announced Tuesday night.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Tuesday royal orders as follows: “His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince, shall be the Prime Minister; as an exception to the provision of Article (56) of the Basic Law of Governance, and the relevant provisions contained in the Law of the Cabinet.”

Mohammed bin Salman, was previously serving as deputy prime minister under King Salman as well as defence minister.

He is being replaced as defence minister by his younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, who was previously deputy defence minister.