RIYADH, May 1: In a major government reshuffle, only the third in 30 years, Saudi Arabia has announced changes in the cabinet and structural changes in several ministerial portfolios.

Most of the important ministers retained their positions. However, eight lost their jobs and five new faces were introduced. The reshuffle also saw the abolition of some ministries and the merger of others.

For the first time, ministry of information technology has been established, indicating the importance the Kingdom assigns to this sector. In another major move, the minister of education will be assisted by two deputy ministers — in charge of boys’ and girls’ education respectively.

Crown Prince Abdullah remained first deputy premier and commander of the National Guard and Prince Sultan second deputy premier and minister of defence and aviation. Interior Minister Prince Naif, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and State Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd also retained their posts.

Despite wide spread rumours that the Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi could be replaced in the reshuffle, he has retained his cabinet slot.

Ibrahim Al-Assaf retained his finance portfolio in the new cabinet. Prince Miteb has been appointed minister of municipality, rural affairs and housing after merging the two ministries of municipality and rural affairs and public works and housing.

Mohammed bin Jameel Al-Mulla was given the new ministry of telecommunication and information technology while Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Manie was appointed health minister replacing Osama Shubokshi.

Information Minister Dr Fouad Al-Farsy retained his post with culture added to his portfolio.

Education Minister Dr Mohammed Al-Rasheed also retained his post. Dr Hashim Yamani, who was industry and electricity minister in the former Cabinet, is now in charge of the new ministry of commerce and industry.

Planning Minister Khaled Al-Gosaibi was also given the portfolio of economy, which was separated from the ministry of finance and national economy.