RIYADH, Oct 19: The newly-created Saudi National Security Council, with Prince Bandar Bin Sultan as its secretary-general, would enjoy extensive powers, including the right to declare emergency and war and to investigate security agencies, Saudi press said quoting informed sources.

The NSC, the first of its kind in the Arab world, is also reportedly have been given extensive powers to deal with corruption and negligence of public duty.

The former Saudi envoy in Washington for 23 years, Prince Bandar, who resigned from the position and returned to the kingdom just before the announcement of the death of King Fahd, was named secretary-general of the NSC earlier this week by King Abdullah, the successor of King Fahd.

Prince Bandar is the son of Crown Prince Sultan.

According to the first article of the NSC laws and regulations, the council will work to protect the kingdom’s political, economic, military, security and social interests. “It will also review internal and external situations having a direct bearing on national security,” the article says.

King Abdullah is the chairman of the council and Crown Prince Sultan its deputy chairman. Its members include the deputy commander of the National Guard, the ministers of interior and foreign affairs and the head of the general intelligence.

Elaph online newspaper on Tuesday published some of the NSC’s rules and regulations.

The Article 3 states that the NSC will have the right to investigate and monitor security agencies if they commit major violations, demonstrate negligence in duty or become involved in acts which threaten public security.

The NSC will also have political powers such as withdrawing ambassadors, reducing diplomatic representation and severing diplomatic relations. It will approve military strategies required for dealing with foreign threats.

The influential body is required to meet regularly with at least two-thirds of its members attending.