LOC17:32
14:32 GMT
TOKYO, June 22 (KUNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe congratulated Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Wednesday on his appointment as Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Defense Minister.
Abe sent a congratulatory message to the Saudi Crown Prince, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued on Wednesday a number of royal decrees which included appointing Prince Mohammad bin Salman as the Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister.
The Saudi Press Agency said that King Salman relieved Prince Mohammad bin Nayef from his post as a Crown Prince, deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister and appointed Prince Mohammad bin Nayef as Crown Prince and deputy Premier and retained his post as a Defense Minister.(end)
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