Saudi Arabia's Prince , Mohammed bin Salman , Formally Named Head of the Government.br On September 27, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince br Mohammed bin Salman was named br the kingdom's prime minister.br On September 27, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince br Mohammed bin Salman was named br the kingdom's prime minister.br Al Jazeera reports that the royal decree br formalizes Salman's role as the leader br of the kingdom's government.br Previously, the crown prince served br as Saudi Arabia's deputy prime br minister and the defense minister.br His younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, br will replace him as defense minister afterbr serving as the deputy defense minister.br His younger brother, Khalid bin Salman, br will replace him as defense minister afterbr serving as the deputy defense minister.br Al Jazeera reports that the royal decree br is another sign of King Abdulaziz's slow br and steady transfer of power in the kingdom.br Al Jazeera reports that the royal decree br is another sign of King Abdulaziz's slow br and steady transfer of power in the kingdom.br Traditionally, the role of prime minister is heldbr by the king, who will continue to act as head br of state and chair cabinet meetings he attends.br In 2016, Prince Mohammed unveiled Vision 2030, which br aims at making Saudi Arabia the heart of the Arab and br Islamic world and a hub connecting three continents.br In 2016, Prince Mohammed unveiled Vision 2030, which br aims at making Saudi Arabia the heart of the Arab and br Islamic world and a hub connecting three continents.br Al Jazeera reports that the ambitious initiative looks to diversify and privatize the kingdom's economy, while also reducing its reliance on oil.br Al Jazeera reports that the ambitious initiative looks to diversify and privatize the kingdom's economy, while also reducing its reliance on oil.br Since rising to power, Saudi Arabia has seen br a massive crackdown on dissent, with br activists, royals and businessmen jailed.br Since rising to power, Saudi Arabia has seen br a massive crackdown on dissent, with br activists, royals and businessmen jailed.br Earlier in 2022, the crown prince met with U.S. President br Joe Biden in an attempt to rebuild relations after br the killing of Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in 2018.br Earlier in 2022, the crown prince met with U.S.