Saudi King deposes crown prince, names son as successor

• The decree relieves King's nephew Prince Mohammed bin Nayef 
• from his position as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister;
• Mohammed bin Nayef pledges allegiance to the new crown prince
• Appointment of Mohammed bin Salman has been supported by 31 
• members of the 34-member Allegiance Council Board, says decree;
• Saudi King also issued decree amending Saudi Arabia's rule system

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Wednesday appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman as his crown prince, deposing his nephew Mohammed bin Nayef, Saudi media reported.

In a royal decree, King Salman bin Abdulaziz placed deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, 31, as the first in line to the throne. 

The decree relieved prince Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, from his position as the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister. Prince Mohamed bin Salman, who holds the defense portfolio, will now be the Deputy Prime Minister. 

The royal decree said the appointment of Mohammed bin Salman has been supported by 31 members of the 34-member Allegiance Council Board. Mohamed bin Nayef has pledged allegiance to the new crown prince. 

The Saudi king also issued a decree amending Saudi Arabia's rule system. According to the amendment, the ruler of the kingdom will be appointed from among the sons and grandsons of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, the founder of Saudi Arabia. Previously, the kingdom's ruler was appointed only from among the sons of King Abdulaziz.

The new Crown Prince was appointed by King Salman as deputy Crown Prince when the king took over the Kingdom's rule in 2015 after the death of his brother King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. - NNI