Saudi FM pledges allegiance to King Salman

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, who was away for a medical operation during a cabinet reshuffle last month, pledged his allegiance to King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Faisal was sworn in as foreign minister on Monday just a few days upon his return from a treatment trip where he had a successful back surgery.

During the swearing-in ceremony, Al-Faisal said: “In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. I swear by Almighty Allah to be loyal to my religion, King, and country, not to divulge a secret of the State's secrets, to maintain its interests and regulations, and to perform my works with honesty, integrity and sincerity.”

King Salman had issued a series of royal decrees in February that ushered fresh faces into state institutions.