Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman took full control of the kingdom before he officially took over the throne.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz is fine, he is taking precautions, the king is in good health, he exercises every day
Due to the illness of King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken full control of the kingdom even before he officially took over the throne. According to foreign media Muhammad bin Salman, 36, has taken over all government affairs due to serious illness and concerns over his health.
He is also chairing a meeting at the Royal Palace. Since being crowned in 2017, Mohammed bin Salman has been considered Saudi Arabia's most authoritative head of state since meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in early December.
He had never before been so prominent in government affairs and chaired the Gulf Cooperation Council summit on Tuesday.
Saudi King Rawa Salman bin Abdulaziz usually presides over the annual meeting after receiving heads of state and delegations and shaking hands with them, but this time it was not at the Gulf Council meeting. It was only after the Saudi ruler fell ill that Muhammad bin Salman met with the presidents and began presiding over the summits, after which it was thought that the crown prince was the real ruler of the country.
He said that the new thing is that now a parallel and more important role is being given to the Crown Prince in the nation and in the media. Since the spread of Code 19, Shah Salman has been living in Newem, a future project on the Red Sea. Foreign Minister Dominic Reb met and last visited Oman in January 2020 to offer condolences on the death of Sultan Qaboos.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought to establish himself as a moderate Muslim around the world, as well as opening up Saudi Arabia to tourists and foreign investment to boost the world's largest oil-exporting economy. Opportunities should also be provided in the sectors.
The Crown Prince has also taken many steps for major social change in the country including allowing women to drive and work in the public sector, providing additional income to the citizens and enjoying recreational facilities. Measures such as empowerment are included, but along with this change, the monarchy has faced restrictions on expression and dissent.
He also has a softer side for Israel than his father, and has allowed commercial flights to pass through Saudi airspace. He said his continued presence sends a message to traditional authorities to cover the crown prince's youth and unconventional practices, which are seldom interrupted.
However, Saudi officials did not say why King Salman was not present at Tuesday's meeting. Ali Shahabi, an adviser to the Saudi government, said King Salman bin Abdulaziz was "OK" but was "cautious".
Reliable sources confirm that the king is in good health, he exercises daily but he is 86 years old and he feels uncomfortable wearing a mask and tends to shake hands and greet people warmly. Therefore, extra care is taken with regard to them so that they can be kept safe and away from public places.