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Provincial System Bios and Related
Information
     

Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 provinces. Each province has a governor, a deputy governor, and a provincial council.

These councils deliberate on the needs of their province, work on the development budget, consider future development plans, and monitor ongoing projects.

The governor and deputy governor of each province serve as chairman and vice-chairman of their respective provincial council.


Each council consists of at least ten private citizens. As with the Majlis Al-Shura, members of the council participate in committees that focus on various issues of interest to the province. The councils issue reports that are submitted to the Minister of the Interior, and then passed on to the appropriate government ministries and agencies for consideration.


 

 

 

The provincial council system is the result of bylaws established by King Fahd in 1992. These bylaws divided the country into 13 provinces and defined their administrative structure, how they would be administered, and the responsibilities of the governors and other regional officers. In 1993, King Fahd named 210 members to the provincial councils.


In 2005, municipal elections were held for half of the members of each of the 178 municipal councils in the Kingdom. The remaining half of the council members and the mayor are appointed.


 

 

Related Information: Government

RecentNews:
 
05/11/2008   Shura Council expresses concern at crisis in Lebanon
05/10/2008   Minister of Islamic Affairs urges imams to tackle terror, extremism
05/10/2008   King Abdullah condoles Myanmar leadership on deadly cyclone
05/09/2008   Term renewed for Assistant Minister of Interior for Security Affairs



Other Documents:

biographies:

King Abdullah bio
Crown Prince Sultan bio
Ambassador Al-Jubeir bio

general information:
Council of Ministers
Consultative Council

full text of laws of government:

Basic Law of Governance

Law of the Council of Ministers

Law of the Consultative Council ( Majlis Al-Shura )

Law of the Provinces

 


 

Government
The revitalization of Saudi Arabia's political system reflects the nation's adaptability to modern development without compromising its religious and cultural values.

Basic System of Government
The Basic System of Government identifies the nature of the state, its goals and responsibilities, as well as the relationship between the ruler and citizens.

Council of Ministers System
In 1953, King Saud bin Abdulaziz established the Council of Ministers to facilitate the Kingdom's development.
Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council)
The primary function of Majlis Al-Shura is to advise the King on issues of importance to the nation.

Legal and Judicial Structure
In addition to these systems, Saudi Arabia has an extensive legal structure. The judicial system is based on the Shari'ah.



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