Jeddah: Arab News
Prince Ahmed was sworn in as the Kingdom’s new interior minister in the presence of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah at the king's palace yesterday.
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, I swear that I will be sincere to my religion, king and country. That I will not divulge any of the state secrets and to remain loyal to its interests and laws and to perform my duties with credibility, faithfulness and sincerity,” Prince Ahmed said while taking the oath of office.
After the oath, the new interior minister shook hands with the king who, in turn, wished him success.
Prince Ahmed expressed his thanks to the king for the royal confidence bestowed upon him.
Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, Prince Turki, Chief of General Intelligence Prince Muqrin and Assistant Interior Minister for Security Affairs Prince Muhammad bin Naif also attended the swearing-in ceremony.
In a statement after the ceremony, Prince Ahmed called on the people to cooperate with the Interior Ministry to maintain security and stability in the Kingdom.
“I call on my brothers and my colleagues in the Ministry of Interior to strive jointly for the security and stability of this country and the well-being of the citizens. Every citizen bears, as the saying goes, the responsibility for his own security, future and well-being. This requires close cooperation between the security forces and citizens, because the security officers are in the service of citizens and their security and stability,” Prince Ahmed said.
“It is also required from everyone in the country to make concerted efforts to achieve the rights, justice and maintenance of security just as it is the task of the Ministry of Interior,” the prince said.
“I pray to Allah Almighty to help us all serve the religion, the king and the country. Receiving the king’s confidence is great and important. God willing, and with help of our colleagues in the Ministry of Interior, we will do our best to perform our duty,” the prince added.
“I extend my thanks and gratitude to the king and wish him robust health, happiness and all success,” the prince said.
Deputy Governor of Hail Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saad expressed his optimism for the country’s future while congratulating Prince Ahmed on his appointment. Prince Abdul Aziz said in a press statement that Prince Ahmed served as the right hand man of the late Crown Prince Naif.
President of the Saudi Ports Authority Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijeri congratulated Crown Prince Salman on his appointment as crown prince and deputy premier saying that Prince Salman has proved himself as a leader of exceptional wisdom and vision during his long years of service. He also congratulated the new interior minister.
Meanwhile, funeral prayers for Prince Naif were held at the Saudi Embassy in Tehran after the congregational prayer on Friday. Ambassadors of Arab and Muslim countries participated in the prayers.
Similar prayers were also held in various mosques in Japan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.