Saudi Arabia forms new nat'l security body

JEDDAH, July 20 (KUNA) -- Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud on Thursday, in a royal decree, formed a new security body tasked with matters related to state security, which will be headed by Abdulaziz Al-Huwairni and linked to the prime minister.
The 'State Security Presidency' will take charge of several security bodies, along with the role of countering terrorism and terrorism funding and conducting financial investigations, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency, SPA.
The bodies under the new bureau include the General Intelligence Directorate, Special Security Forces, Emergency Force, General Security Aviation Command, General Administration of Technical Affairs and National Information Centre.
According to the decree, the decision was taken based on an "urgent need during current times." It aims to "develop the Kingdom's security sectors, according to the most up-to-date administrative guidelines, to be in the highest degree of readiness, to keep up with developments and to meet all security challenges with a high degree of flexibility and readiness and ability to move quickly in the face of any emergency." The statement added that Al-Huwairni, who currently heads the General Investigation Directorate, will resume his current role alongside his new duties. (end) sd