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Major Shakeup in Saudi Arabia

Time will tell is this is a serious attempt at reform or mere window dressing. 

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has sacked two powerful religious officials in a wide ranging shake-up of the cabinet and other government posts.

One of the dismissed men was the head of the controversial religious police force. The other was the country’s most senior judge.

The king also appointed the country’s first-ever female minister and replaced the head of the central bank.

Correspondents say such government reshuffles are rare in Saudi Arabia.

King Abdullah, who came to power in 2005, has for a long time had the reputation of a reformer - and the latest appointments have the makings of one of the biggest shake-ups in Saudi public life for many years.

Posted by Owen at 1449 hrs
Foreign Affairs

1. It would be nice to think that this is genuine. However, he was recently responsible for initiating a UN resolution that pressures governments to not tolerate criticism of Islam from their constituents.

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on February 14, 2009 at 2351 hrs
   
   
   

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