JEDDAH, 30 October 2006 — The 150-member Shoura Council yesterday commended the new Allegiance Law issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah as one of the king’s major political reforms.
“The new law will strengthen political stability, ensure national unity and provide a big boost to comprehensive development,” the Shoura said in a statement after a regular meeting in Riyadh.
The law reflected the desire of Saudi leadership to reinforce the basis of national progress, realize the hopes and aspirations of its people and preserve the Kingdom’s strength, the Shoura said.
“It also protects the Kingdom’s international reputation and ensures its progress and prosperity,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the consultative council as saying.
This is the Shoura’s first reaction to the law, which was issued on Oct. 20. The law aims at streamlining succession, facilitating smooth transfer of power and removing the uncertainty caused by the inability of a king or crown prince to run the affairs of the state as a result of poor health.
“This law is an important development in organizing the government in accordance with the state’s solid principles,” the Shoura statement said, adding that it goes in tune with modern developments.
The Shoura said the new law wascomplementary to the existing laws such as the Basic Law of Governance, the Shoura System, the Regional Council System and the Council of Ministers System.
Saudi Arabia has not faced any succession problem in its history as it took place automatically thanks to the understanding among the royal family members, based on mutual respect.
“The new law ensures continuation of this smooth succession process and protection of the royal family and the national entity. It also shows the ability of the leadership in dealing with such sensitive issues with transparency,” it added.
Shoura Chairman Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid said all members of the consultative body had welcomed the law as a significant political reform introduced by the king.
Under the law a committee of senior princes would be appointed to select future generations of kings and crown princes.
The law offers a new mechanism for declaring the reigning monarch or heir to the throne unfit to exercise their powers, temporarily or permanently. It will not be applied to the present king and crown prince.
The new high-power committee, named the Allegiance Commission, will comprise the sons and grandsons of King Abdul Aziz, the founder of the Kingdom, the Royal Court said in a statement. The commission was formed by changing Article Five of the Basic Law of Governance.
