New Saudi King in a Major Shake-Up Min
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SUBSCRIPTION SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015 RABI ALTHANI 11, 1436 AH No: 16419 Bomb attack Qatar Airways Djokovic fights at Pakistani buys nearly 10 off Wawrinka mosque kills percent of BA, to reach at least 497 Iberia15 parent Open48 final New Saudi king in Min 10º 150 Fils a major shake-up Max 25º King Salman tightens grip on power, fires sons of his predecessor RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman has tightened his hold on power, firing two sons of his predecessor and replac- ing the heads of intelligence and other key agencies in a sweeping shakeup. The appointments, which analysts said supported signs the kingdom will chart a steady course on for- eign and oil policy, came a week after Salman, 79, took the throne following the death of King Abdullah. Top officials from the Ports Authority, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the conservative Islamic kingdom’s religious police were among those let go late Thursday. But the oil and foreign ministers retained their key posts. The changes confirmed specula- tion that Abdullah’s death “would see a reversal in his immediate family’s fortunes,” said Jon Marks, a Middle East expert at London-based think- tank Chatham House. “We have a situation of change in a highly personalized hierarchy, but not at least not immediately-of sig- nificant policy change.” Salman also reached out directly to his subjects. One of his more than 30 decrees ordered “two Saudi new King Salman months’ basic salary to all Saudi government civil and military employees,” the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. Students and pensioners got similar bonuses. “Dear people: CAIRO: Family members of security forces killed in Sinai cry after they received the bodies of their relatives, outside You deserve more and whatever I do will not be able to give Almaza military airport in Cairo yesterday. — AP you what you deserve,” the king said later on his official Twitter account. He asked his citizens to “not forget me in your prayers”. General Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah aAl-Humaidan 32 killed in Sinai attacks became the new intelligence chief, holding cabinet rank, and replacing Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud. A separate decree said Prince Bandar bin Sultan, a nephew Kuwait condemns terror, backs Egypt of Abdullah, was removed from his posts as Secretary General of the National Security Council and adviser to the king. The CAIRO: Egypt’s army clashed with home to oversee the response to the terrorist attacks which occurred in the council was dissolved. Two sons of the late monarch were also jihadists in Sinai yesterday, leaving attacks. volatile Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, fired: Prince Mishaal, governor of the Mecca region, and Prince two children dead as President Abdel “After the terrorist operations in killing and wounding dozens of inno- Turki, who governed the capital Riyadh, according to the Fattah El-Sisi flew home to deal with a the North Sinai last night, the presi- cent people. “These terrorist attacks decrees broadcast on Saudi television. wave of militant attacks that killed at dent decided to cut short his partici- underline the importance of the least 30 people. Health officials said a pation in the African Union summit efforts exerted by the international Super-ministry six-month-old baby was hit in the after attending the opening session, community to eradicate terrorism and Salman, a half-brother of Abdullah, named a 31-member cab- head by a bullet during the clashes and returned to Cairo to monitor the protect the world from its evils,” a inet whose new faces include the ministers for culture and infor- and a six-year-old was killed in a rock- situation,” a statement from Sisi’s Foreign Ministry official source stated mation, social affairs, civil service, and communications and et blast in the peninsula. Two more office said. Security officials said the in a statement. The official source information technology, among others. Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi, people including a 12-year-old were bodies of the 30 victims had been affirmed that Kuwait stands on the Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, and Finance Minister badly wounded by gunfire. flown to Cairo. It was the deadliest side of Egypt in the face of such Ibrahim Al-Assaf stayed in the cabinet of the world’s leading oil Yesterday’s violence came a day wave of attacks since October when threats. The source also expressed exporter. A nearly 60 percent fall in global oil prices since last after jihadists targeted security forces 30 soldiers were killed and scores support of the measures taken by June has left Saudi Arabia projecting its first budget deficit since with rockets and a car bomb in North wounded in simultaneous assaults on Egyptian authorities to maintain the 2011, but government spending is set to continue. — AFP Sinai province in simultaneous attacks security forces. The fresh bloodshed nation’s security and stability. The offi- claimed by an affiliate of the Islamic came despite new security measures cial source prayed for souls of the vic- PAGE State group. Most of those killed were implemented in North Sinai since tims and wished the wounded quick Gunmen attack two soldiers. Sisi pulled out of a gathering then. Meanwhile, Kuwait yesterday recovery. US citizens in Saudi of African leaders in Ethiopia and flew condemned the series of coordinated Continued on Page 9 LOCAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2015 Egyptian drug dealer arrested By Hanan Al-Saadoun then conducted a personal search and discovered Pakistani beggar nabbed the pills tied around his chest. A Pakistani beggar was recently arrested at KUWAIT: An Egyptian was recently arrested at Mubarakiya. Security forces found KD509 in his the Kuwait International Airport for smuggling ATM thief possession. In another development, a Kuwaiti 30,000 tramadol pills which he concealed around An unidentified robber recently failed to steal a local was arrested in Farwaniya for drug abuse. his torso, said security sources. The passenger bank’s ATM in a shopping mall. Security sources the Security sources said that the suspect resisted was looking confused when he arrived. This robber disconnected the machine instead and the sur- arrest and threatened the police with a knife. prompted custom inspectors to search his lug- veillance cameras to hide his identity. A case has been Police then fired warning shots before they gage. At first, they found nothing. The officials was filed and further investigations are in progress. arrested him. Kuwaitis arrested for drugs, alcohol KUWAIT: Security operatives have arrested three citizens with illicit drugs. Also, a Kuwaiti wanted for trading alcohol was recently arrested in Nuzha. In another development, two citizens were recently arrested with 12 bottles of whiskey in a camp. Case papers indicate that a number of families camping around the area had filed complaints about noises coming from the suspects’ camp. On raiding the camp, detectives found the liquor. The suspects are on wanted list for fighting, possession of arms and driving under the effect of alcohol. Under the effect of drugs A citizen ‘under the effect of drugs’ was arrested at a Hawalli traffic light, where he had fallen asleep inside his vehicle. Detectives also found a number of psychotropic pills on him. A case was filed. Also, an Asian was recently arrested in Khaitan with 74 home-made liquor bottles he was preparing to sell, said security sources. A police patrol suspected a Japanese-made car and on stopping it, the driver seemed so confused. Policemen then searched the vehicle and found the liquor in the trunk. Weapons stolen from barrack A citizen was recently arrested for stealing weapons from army barracks, resisting arrest, firing at policemen and possessing drugs, said security sources. Case papers indicate that state security, army intelligence and Jahra detectives had been tipped off concerning the suspect’s involvement in the robbery. On raiding his house in Sulaibiya, the suspect drove off - firing warn- ing shots in the air until he reached Firdous where he was apprehended. Kuwaiti raped A 19 year old citizen reported that three people he had known through a social media network had raped him. Case papers indicate that the young man said that he knew someone online who invited him to a desert picnic to enjoy the weather. He was then taken to a Kabed ranch where where he was raped along with two other people. Gulf Bank creates more chances to win Al Danah KUWAIT: Gulf Bank’s Al Danah loyalty chances program distinguishes from any other chance program in Kuwait. 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