Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received Bahraini King Hamad on Friday at his ranch in Diriyah, and took him on a tour of the Al-Ouja Palace, which includes several old pictures and artifacts.

King Salman hosted a lunch in honor of King Hamad, which included Crown Prince Muqrin and members of the royal family.

The Bahraini king arrived on a day when the newly appointed officials and ministers thanked King Salman for the trust placed in them.

New Justice Minister Walid Al-Samaani thanked King Salman for his inclusion in the Cabinet. He said the judiciary in the Kingdom draws its strength from the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Abdul Rahman Al-Sanad also thanked King Salman for appointing him as the head of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.

Citizens across the Kingdom rejoiced at the two-month salary bonus announced by King Salman, and also praised the “visionary” new changes to the country’s leadership structures, which they say would help save costs and grow the economy.

Sadaka Yahia Fadil, a senior member of the Shoura Council, said: “The Cabinet reshuffle was a very good move to bring in new blood, new experience to work in co-ordination with experienced leaders and provide constructive leadership for the Kingdom.”

He hailed the dissolution of several government bodies and merger of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education, saying it would cut down on spending and save money for other social and welfare schemes.

Essam bin Saeed, minister of state, said the royal decrees issued by King Salman represent a historic shift in the country’s goal to ensure further development and progress.

Fahad Al-Majid, secretary general of the Council of Senior Scholars, said the decrees show that King Salman is in touch with the needs and aspirations of the country’s people.

Saud M. Al-Suwaileh, who works for the Ministry of Finance as an economic expert and the former manager of the US-Saudi Business Council in Riyadh, said: “It is the right move at the right time because the new Cabinet has a unique blend of experienced frontline leadership and new visionary leaders, who will help the government handle challenges appropriately.”

Saudi government employees were ecstatic about the two-month bonus announcement.

Khaled Al-Zahrani, a Saudi state employee, said the king’s decree would help many Saudis struggling to survive because of the high cost of living, particularly essential goods and home rents.

Abdullah Al-Maimani, a Saudi student at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, told Arab News that the bonus has given citizens “hope of another prosperous phase” in the country.

Ahmed Al-Kenani, a Saudi government employee, said: “King Salman is known for his generosity. His decree announcing the two-month salary bonus to all Saudi government employees has increased his popularity.”

Saeed Al-Shamri, a Saudi working at a government body, said: “The step was a good incentive and welcomed by all Saudis who love the king. The royal decision has opened the door to another prosperous era.”

Abdul Aziz Al-Shahrani, a Saudi student at King Abdul Aziz University, said all Saudi employees love the king with or without the two-month salary bonus. He said it was clear from the decisions taken that the country would be heading into a new prosperous era, “which will be reflected in the personal financial situation of the Saudi people.”