Shoura Council members during the 35th session on Monday pledged loyalty to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and described their selection as a step in the right direction.

The council hailed Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. “Since assuming power, the king has worked to consolidate the Saudi ruling house on firm foundations and well-established rules taking into consideration national interests — political, economic and stability of the country,” it said in a statement following the session.

The statement, read out by council secretary-general Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Amr at the outset of the meeting, said, “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, bestowed with wisdom and far-sighted vision, was keen to select the leaders with full spirit of devotion and integrity and who were supportive to him in leading the country.

“Through multiple responsibilities, the crown prince has proved high efficiency, particularly the success he achieved in the fight against terrorism, a matter that earned the Kingdom respect and appreciation of big countries.

“The crown prince also won the confidence of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who found him as the best supporter in this particular stage of the beginning of his prosperous reign. The system of rule in the Kingdom, founded by the late King Abdulaziz, is based on wisdom and selection of the fittest to run the country based on the teachings of Islamic Shariah.”

The council members also appreciated the achievements of Prince Muqrin through key posts he assumed in the last 40 years.