Al-Shehana Bint Saleh Appointed Deputy Secretary General of Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Asharq Al-Awsat
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Al-Shehana Bint Saleh Appointed Deputy Secretary General of Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Asharq Al-Awsat
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Asharq Al-Awsat

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued on Sunday a number of royal orders that included the appointment of Al-Shehana bint Saleh bin Abdullah Al-Azzaz as Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, at the excellent rank.

King Salman ordered relieving the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf Al Muqrin, of his post, and appointed him as advisor at the Royal Court, at the rank of Minister.

The royal orders also included appointing Dr. Bandar bin Obaid bin Hamoud Al-Rasheed as Secretary to the Crown Prince, at the rank of Minister, in addition to his other duties.

The King appointed Ayman bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Siyari as Deputy Governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) for Investment and Research, at the rank of Minister.

He also appointed Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Saleh Al-Amil as Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Ministers for Council Affairs, at the excellent rank, in addition to appointing Mansour bin Abdullah bin Ali bin Salamah as Deputy Secretary to the Crown Prince, at the excellent rank.

Abdulaziz bin Ismail bin Rashad Trabzoni was appointed as an advisor at the Royal Court, at the excellent rank, while Princess Haifa bint Mohammed bin Saud bin Khalid Al Abdulrahman Al Saud became deputy Minister of Tourism, at the excellent rank.

Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih was appointed Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, at the excellent rank, and Acting President of the Transport General Authority.

Ehab bin Ghazi bin Fahmy Al-Hashani became Deputy Minister of Municipal Rural Affairs and Housing, at the excellent rank.

The King also appointed Eng. Abdulaziz bin Hamad bin Saleh Al-Rumaih as Deputy Minister of Health for Planning and Development, at the excellent rank, and Ahmed bin Sufyan bin Abdulrazzaq Al-Hassan, as Assistant Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, at the excellent rank.

Furthermore, Dr. Khalid bin Waleed bin Fadl Al-Thaher was appointed Deputy Governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) for Control and Technology, at the excellent rank.



Saudi FM, Lebanese Speaker Discuss Efforts Aimed at Stopping Israeli Attacks

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi FM, Lebanese Speaker Discuss Efforts Aimed at Stopping Israeli Attacks

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held on Thursday a telephone call with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

During the call, Prince Faisal and Berri discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a cessation of hostilities and an end to Israeli attacks.

The Saudi FM reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the stability of Lebanon and to strengthening its state institutions.

Berri praised the Kingdom’s role and its continuous efforts in supporting Lebanon’s security and the broader stability of the region.

He also stressed Lebanon’s commitment to the Taif Agreement and its rejection of any actions that threaten Saudi Arabia’s security.


Saudi Foreign Minister, Cuban Counterpart Discuss Latest Developments in Middle East

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Cuban Counterpart Discuss Latest Developments in Middle East

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah/File Photo

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call Thursday from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, SPA reported.

During the call, they reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East, in addition to discussing a number of topics and mutual interest.


Saudi Arabia Secures Leading Rankings in Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report

The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Secures Leading Rankings in Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report

The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia has secured top global rankings in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2025–2026 report, reflecting a highly competitive environment and reinforcing its position as a premier global hub for entrepreneurship.

The Kingdom led all high-income economies in Entrepreneurial Finance, highlighting the efficiency of its financing tools for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, Saudi Arabia ranked third globally in the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), cementing its status as an elite destination for entrepreneurial investment and growth, SPA reported.

Total early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) has seen rapid expansion, jumping from 12.1% in 2018 to 28.9% in 2025. Similarly, entrepreneurial intentions nearly doubled, rising from 26.8% to 48.5% over the same period.

This growth is mirrored in the academic sector, where the Kingdom climbed from 53rd to seventh place globally in university-based entrepreneurship.

These milestones result from integrated efforts between government entities like the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at), the private sector, and academic institutions.