DUBAI—Saudi Arabia’s King Salman named his son as the country’s new crown prince, the country’s state news agency said Wednesday, a move that carries far-reaching implications for the monarchy and the biggest economy in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s new crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, known by his initials MbS, is seen as the architect of Saudi Arabia’s attempt to overhaul the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy and carve out a more muscular foreign policy in a volatile region.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman is now first in line to succeed his father, the 81-year-old King Salman. The 31-year-old will remain in charge of defense.