The gradual takeover of all Saudi Arabia's power structures by Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), the crown prince and son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has reinforced the position of Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Howairini in the kingdom's inner power circle. As head of the Presidency of State Security (PSS), the umbrella internal security body set up by King Salman on 20 July 2017, Al Howairini now reports directly to MbS, who has been prime minister since September 2022.

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