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King Abdullah: Meetings, Sultan Bin Abdelaziz: Brother gives health update, Princes: Marriages, Salman Bin Abdelaziz: Banquet for Andrew, Khalid Bin Salman: Pilot graduation,Khalid Bin Sultan: Coral study funded

Veteran diplomat, linguist and former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Chas Freeman, has withdrawn from consideration for the position of National Intelligence Council chairman (GSN 848/4). Only two weeks ago, director of National Intelligence

Former boss Sir Fred Goodwin is vilified in the British press, and the UK government effectively controls 68% of its equity, but credit crunch victim Royal Bank of Scotland retains some significant businesses, notably a project finance arm which has acted as advisor to major GCC project sponsors including Qatar Petroleum, Saudi Aramco, Total, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Occidental Petroleum Corp (Oxy). Rumour has it that, as it refocuses its investment banking operations, a contrite RBS is set to exit project, leveraged and real estate lending.

Saud Al-Faisal: Syria visit, angers Ayatollahs, Turki Bin Faisal: Allegiance Council member dies, Military princes: Service extended, Fahd Al-Abdelrahman: Marriage to Bandar daughter, Mishaall Bin Abdelaziz: In Cairo, Adila Bint Abdullah: Takes up girl’s case

At the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Sheikh Abdelaziz Bin Humayen Al-Humayen has been appointed head, replacing Sheikh Ibrahim Bin Abdullah Al-Ghaith. The new head of the religious police (known as the Mutawa) has described their role as

It will take more than a reshuffle to resolve the deep-seated contradictory pressures within Saudi Arabian politics and society. Even so, King Abdullah’s recent personnel changes send a powerful signal at a time of renewed succession concerns.

Sheikh Abdelrahman Bin Abdelaziz Al-Colleyia was named chairman of the Supreme Court, with ministerial rank. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Fahd Bin Saad Al-Dosari was appointed Supreme Administrative Court president with ministerial rank.

Attention has focused on Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed following his appointment as education minister. For several years he has served as the General Intelligence Directorate deputy chief and before that was long involved with the Saudi Arabian National Guard at a senior level.

Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdelaziz has left his residence in Agadir, Morocco, for the United States for follow-up medical checks and treatment (GSN 845/1). The state Saudi Press Agency said the prince had completed a

King Abdullah: Meetings, travels, Miqrin Bin Abdelaziz: To Syria and Taliban talks, Salmam Bin Abdelaziz: Support for divorcee centre, Al Waleed Bin Talal: Dubai, cinema, Saud Bin Mansour: SFO in Dubai

King Abdullah’s reshuffle has brought in new ministers, a change of central bank governor and other senior officials across a wide range of government departments and official agencies. Below, GSN lists the newcomers. Ministerial changes:

Saudi Arabia’s Rawabi Holding Company has formed a joint venture with Houston-based Allis-Chalmers Energy – Rawabi Allis-Chalmers Company – to provide oilfield services and rental equipment including, but not limited to, drill pipe, blowout protectors, auxiliary handling tools, directional drilling services, and drilling and completion

Saudi Arabia has an estimated $500bn “stashed away in US treasuries” (bonds), as one expert puts it. And the view being ordered from above – from King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz down – is that “more of this will be invested at home, as was signalled by lifting the limits on the amount the PIF [Public Investment Fund, chaired by Finance Minister

King Abdullah: Meets Chinese President, Princess Amira: Ready to motor, Khalid Bin Sultan: Horse show

According to the ScienceDaily.com website, Prince Abdelrahman, son of Prince Bandar Bin Abdulaziz (GSN 820/7), is carrying out research at Queen’s University.