Key gov't positions reshuffled in Saudi Arabia

By Ramazan Turgut

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has reshuffled its cabinet and replaced a number of key officials, local media reported late Saturday.

In a number of royal decrees, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz appointed his two sons -- Prince Abdulaziz and Prince Khalid -- as minister of state for energy affairs and Ambassador to the United States, respectively.

Prince Khalid replaced Prince Abdullah Bin Faisal Al-Saud atop the Kingdom's mission in the U.S.

Awad Al-Awad was named of culture and information, another key position in the government, replacing Adel Al-Toraifi.

King Salman also re-established all allowances and benefits, which were canceled during last September’s economic crisis.

Two months of salaries will be paid as an allowance to the military and security personnel fighting in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has been hard hit by a recent slump in world energy prices.