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Saudi King Salman quickly makes his mark

King Salman has shuffled key Cabinet positions to consolidate power in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef (L) arrives with his uncle King Salman (R) to greet U.S. President Barack Obama at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, January 27, 2015. King Salman's appointment of his nephew Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, 55, as Deputy Crown Prince makes him 2nd in the line of succession and he becomes the first grandson of the kingdom's founding monarch to take an established place in the line of succession. Picture taken January 27, 2015. REUTERS/Jim Bourg (SAU

King Salman and his entourage have moved quickly to consolidate power in their hands since the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Salman's son Mohammed has become a key player in keeping with the Saudi monarchical tradition.

The Saudi succession from King Abdullah to King Salman was a model of stability. As expected, the heir apparent ascended to the throne and the third in line moved up to be the new crown prince, Muqrin bin Abdulaziz. Salman was quick to chose a new second deputy prime minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who has made his reputation fighting al-Qaeda. The line of succession is now clearly established and will pass from the sons of the modern kingdom's founder, Abdulaziz Ibn Al Saud, to his grandsons after Muqrin.

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