Saudi Arabia enters new era

It can be said that Saudi Arabia has entered a new era that emphasizes stability with the appointments of Prince Mohammed bin Naif as crown prince and Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the deputy crown prince. We now have a clear message about the course into the future.
The selection has gained political legitimacy with a majority approval by the Allegiance Council and the allegiance received by the crown prince and the deputy crown prince at the Governance Palace in Riyadh.
Perhaps foreign observers are perplexed about the method of the smooth transfer of power, despite the vastness of the country and its regional and international significance and influence, especially now that several regional countries are being ravaged by bloody wars over political power.
After the demise of King Abdullah, the transfer of power to King Salman was smooth and he took a strategic political decision to appoint Prince Mohammed bin Naif as deputy crown prince.
With this move, the king took the same path of his brother King Abdullah by maintaining the new position of deputy crown prince and thus opened the road for the third generation of the ruling family to take up the responsibility of governance.
Saudi Arabia, which was criticized abroad by some people because the ruling establishment was advanced in age, has been able to renew the ruling class with outstandingly efficient people.
The average age of the leadership, including the king and the crown prince and the deputy crown prince, has been reduced from 79 years three months ago, to 56 years.
This is a clear indication of giving the opportunity to young leaders to exercise power. King Salman is a decisive leader, who takes tough decisions when the situation demands it. He led Decisive Storm that saved Yemen from falling to the Houthi militias. Even though he did not complete 100 days as the king, he regulates the ruling establishment and ushers in new blood.
The ruling system in Saudi Arabia is 300 years old stretching over a long history of the first, second and third Saudi states. There are customs and traditions established within this institution. And its continuity is based on its success in communicating with different groups of people and placing the interests of the state above all else.
Approval of the Allegiance Council is a quantum leap for the development of the governing system, from customs and traditions to clear regulations and laws. The system of transfer of power in Saudi Arabia is not based on individual judgments, but on certain customs, traditions and regulations.
There is within the Saudi ruling family a long tradition of respect and collaboration and obedience to the king under all circumstances. The establishment of the Allegiance Council is considered one of the landmark decisions in the history of the Saudi governing system.
The choice of Prince Mohammed bin Naif as crown prince is a natural outcome and based on merit. He is known as a disciplined, practical man who achieved great success in the fight against terrorism. His chairing of the Council of Security and Political Affairs is the expression of the leadership’s trust in his abilities and his balanced and wise personality.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman represents a young generation, and has been schooled by his father. The prince also accompanied his father on foreign trips and domestic and external meetings. His success in the management and setting up of the military alliance of Decisive Storm, and his presiding over the Council of Economic and Development Affairs are clear indicators of his exceptional abilities.
That is why the text of the Royal Decree pointed clearly at the great talent of the prince exhibited through his achievements when important works and tasks were entrusted to him.
The Royal Decrees also included the relieving of veteran Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, who is the doyen of all foreign ministers in the world, at his request and appointing him minister of state and a member of the Council of Ministers and an adviser and special envoy to the king, and a supervisor of foreign affairs.
The appointment of the Saudi ambassador in Washington, Adel Al-Jubeir, as foreign minister is another great decision. He achieved notable victories in the US capital, including the handling of briefings on Decisive Storm.
Decisions taken in Saudi Arabia are significant and the changes are fundamental, to build stability and trust in the leadership. Anyone who witnessed the flow of princes and citizens to the palace in Riyadh to declare their allegiance would realize the magnitude of people’s support, and the belief that they are heading to a bright future.