Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, has directed all the governors of the regions to receive the oath of allegiance (baia) from citizens on his behalf.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal will receive citizens taking their oath of allegiance on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the headquarters of the governorate in the holy city. On Sunday, he will receive citizens at his palace in Al-Basateen district in Jeddah after Maghreb prayer.

Tabuk Gov. Prince Fahd bin Sultan also announced that he would receive citizens on Saturday and Sunday to take their oath of allegiance. The governor instructed chief administrators of Wajh, Dhuba, Amlaj, Haqel, Tima and Badae cities to receive the citizens on behalf of him to take their oaths.

In Al-Jouf Province, Gov. Prince Fahd bin Badr received citizens on Tuesday and Wednesday. They took their oath of allegiance to Prince Salman. Senior military and civil officials, in addition to tribal chiefs and dignitaries, attended the audience.

Prince Salman, meanwhile, received a number of congratulatory messages from Arab leaders and officials on his new appointment. The leaders include Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Jordanian Premier Fayez Tarawneh and Arab League Secretary-General Nabil El-Arabi.

Shoura Council member Hamad Al-Qadi said Prince Salman is the right choice for crown prince. "Prince Salman is the right choice for the position of crown prince and deputy premier because of his rich administrative experience and political wisdom," he said in a congratulatory message.

Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry or Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call and Guidance Salman Al-Amri also commended the new crown prince, saying his life is filled with sincere services to his religion, king and nation over the past half a century.

"The crown prince maintains excellent relations with religious scholars, intellectuals, writers, media personalities and diplomats. Above all, he is always close to people's hearts," Al-Amri said.

Hasan Al-Hazmi and Muhammad Rabi, vice presidents of Jazan University, said Saudi people received the news of the appointment of Prince Salman as crown prince and deputy premier with joy considering the prince's services to Islam and the Kingdom as well as to the Arab and Islamic causes.

Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah bin Musaed, adviser at the crown prince's court, said the king appointed Prince Salman as the crown prince and deputy premier because the king gives priority to people's welfare. "Prince Salman is known for his multifaceted personality and is endowed with wisdom and experience that makes him eligible for this important leadership position," he said.

Those who congratulated the crown prince also included Saudi Ambassador to Ireland Abdul Aziz Al-Dorais and Saudi Military Attache in Islamabad Major Gen. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi.

OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu yesterday sent a cable of congratulations to Interior Minister Prince Ahmad on his appointment.

"I have received with considerable joy the news of your appointment by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah as minister of interior. I am pleased on this occasion to express to Your Highness sincere congratulations and felicitations on this sublime choice, which is an indication of the tremendous confidence reposed in you, and of your vast experience and wisdom with which you would direct affairs at this important position," the OIC chief said. He added: "I am confident that you would bring to this position your long experience in this field as well as God-given wisdom and capability."