Saudi king increases cabinet powers

Saudi Arabia's King Salman issued a royal decree that allowed the cabinet to convene in the absence of both himself and the prime minister, his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, state media reported on Thursday.

In the absence of the king, the crown prince or his deputies, the cabinet would be chaired by the eldest member of the cabinet, who is a descendant of Salman's father, founding King Abdulaziz Al Saud. Cabinet decisions issued would be signed by the chairman, the royal decree added.

The cabinet includes seven descendants of the founding king, including Energy Minister Abdulaziz, 64, and Defence Minister Khalid, 36, both sons of King Salman. Abdulaziz is the second eldest of the seven descendants, only behind his cousin, Minister of State Mansour bin Mutaib, 72.

The 88-year-old king received medical care for lung inflammation in May that prompted Prince Mohammed to later postpone an official visit to Japan due to the king's health.