Saudi boys paint a mural depicting Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an activity for national drawings in Jeddah Photo: Reuters
The Telegraph: Revealed: Saudi Arabia's manifesto for change in the face of rumours of coup plots
Exclusive: In rare public statement, advisers to all-powerful Prince Mohammed bin Salman tell Telegraph of plans for opening up country's economy and society
At a time when the country’s internal politics are under more scrutiny than at any time for decades, close advisers to the new King Salman and his powerful son have taken the unprecedented step of outlining a detailed programme of its future government to The Telegraph.
It amounts to a Thatcherite programme of budget cuts, increasing the role of the private sector, and reforms to the way the kingdom is governed.
It obliquely acknowledges that radical changes in the royal family since the king acceded to the throne in January, including the sidelining of a generation of older princes and the former heir to the throne, have met with opposition. There have been claims outside the country that disgruntled princes are attempting to mount a coup to replace the king with one of his brothers.
WNU Editor: I have heard this same story for the past 30 years from every new Saudi leader .... that Saudi Arabia must change to in order to become a modern state. Sighhh .... when I see it is when I will believe it.