Government overhaul sees oil minister removed

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has removed the country’s veteran oil minister as part of a broad government overhaul.

Ali al-Naimi, according to BBC report, has been replaced after more than 20 years in the role by former health minister Khaled al-Falih.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter, unveiled major economic reforms in April, aimed at ending the country’s dependence on oil.

About 70 percent of its revenues came from oil last year, but it has been hit hard by falling prices.

The government shake-up, announced in a royal decree, sees a number of ministries merged and others, such as the ministry of electricity and water, scrapped altogether.

A public body for entertainment is being created, and another for culture.

King Salman’s son Prince Mohammad directs the country’s economic policy, and Mr al-Naimi’s removal is an indication that he wants tighter control over the commodity, says BBC World Service Arab Affairs.