Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia’s new Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman reaffirmed on Wednesday that his ministry will follow the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s path that he has formulated to make the ministry a modern institution possessing professional military forces that can protect the security of the homeland and defend its interests.

He said that the ministry of defense has well received the attention and follow-up of the Crown Prince, emphasizing that they will follow his approach, and the path he has set for it.

Prince Khalid made the remarks in his first reaction to the royal order issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Tuesday to appoint him as minister of defense.

In a statement on his Twitter account, minister of defense thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the trust reposed in him through the new appointment, asking God for the ability and good luck to serve His religion, as well as the country and its leadership.

“Since Prince Mohammed bin Salman assumed leadership, the ministry has received great attention and direct follow-up from him, which resulted in the launch of the ministry’s development program. This reflects his belief in the importance of developing the ministry’s capabilities, keeping pace with the military development in accordance with the highest standards, and raising it to the highest levels,” he said in the tweet.