Saudi king to address nation amid regional unrest
It will be the king's first speech since he arrived home last month after his medical treatment abroad Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah will address the nation on Friday, amid reports of a possible government reshuffle.
Diplomats said that among measures to be announced are ministerial changes and an anti-corruption drive, according to Associated Press.The country has not seen the kind of unrest experienced by some of its neighbours in recent months.
But there were more small protests on Thursday in the eastern city of Qatif.
Hundreds of people reportedly gathered to demand the withdrawal of Saudi forces from neighbouring Bahrain, where they have been used in the suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations.
The protesters also called for the release of Shia prisoners held in Saudi jails.
The east of the country is where many of Saudi Arabia's Shia minority live and it borders Bahrain, a Shia-majority kingdom ruled by a Sunni government which has been rocked by protests in recent weeks.
Signs of dissent are not restricted to the Shia community but a planned "day of rage" by pro-democracy activists last week appears to have been prevented by a heavy security presence on the streets.
King Abdullah, 86, will issue a number of decrees in his speech after Friday prayers, the state news agency announced.No further details were given but diplomats quoted by AP said the ministers of defence, higher education and religious affairs were to be replaced.
In addition, the diplomats said a new institution to combat corruption would be announced, and an increase in subsidies for basic foodstuffs.
King Abdullah unveiled a package of $37bn (£22.7bn) in benefits for Saudi citizens when he returned to the state last month, after having medical treatment abroad.
沙特国王发放现金 保证改革和就业机会
为了免受横扫阿拉伯世界动乱的冲击，沙特阿拉伯国王向全国人民提供价值数十亿美元的社会福利、就业机会和住房，并保证会进行改革。
在穆斯林午日敬拜后发表的一次短暂全国电视讲话中，阿卜杜拉国王赞扬安全部队在最近发生的示威中维持了国家的稳定。他誓言要扩充宗教警察和法律执行部门。
在阿卜杜拉结束讲话后，新闻主播宣读了一系列皇家法令，其中包括将全国工人的最低薪金增加到每月800美元，投资667亿美元建造新住房，在安全和内政部门增加6万个工作机会。政府还誓言要打击腐败。
本月早些时候，沙特政府下令禁止抗议示威。不过在此之后仍然发生过几次小规模的示威游行。
为了平定不满情绪，阿卜杜拉国王之前已经出台过一些安抚措施。他二月份曾下令为全国工人加薪15%，并增加了对一系列社会项目的投资。
沒有留言:
張貼留言