Tagged: Saudi Arabia

According to Paradisdachat, the government of Saudi Arabia is a monarchy with the King as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. The King holds absolute power and is responsible for appointing all members of the cabinet, including ministers and governors. The King also appoints judges, who are responsible for administering justice through Sharia law. The King is assisted by a Council of Ministers, which consists of 23 members, who are appointed by the King from among senior princes and other prominent Saudis. The legislature in Saudi Arabia consists of a Consultative Council (Majlis ash-Shura), which has 150 members who are appointed by the King to serve four-year terms. The Consultative Council has limited powers and cannot pass laws or approve budgets without approval from the King. The judiciary in Saudi Arabia is based on Islamic law (Sharia) and is administered by a Supreme Judicial Council, which consists of five judges appointed by the King. Judges are responsible for interpreting Sharia law in cases involving criminal proceedings or civil disputes. Saudi Arabia has an extensive system of censorship that restricts freedom of expression, access to information and limits other civil liberties such as freedom of assembly and association. Political parties are not allowed in Saudi Arabia, and there are no elections at any level in government except for municipal elections held every four years since 2005. Saudi Arabia’s economy is heavily reliant on oil exports and has been diversifying into other sectors such as manufacturing, services, construction, tourism, banking and finance over recent years with significant foreign investments into these sectors from countries from around the world looking to benefit from Saudi Arabia’s strong economic growth prospects due to its large population size coupled with its strategic location at the heart of Middle East region. Saudi Arabia is a key player in the Middle East and a major power in the international arena. The country’s foreign policy is focused on promoting regional stability and security, while maintaining strong economic ties with other countries. Saudi Arabia is a member of the Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the United Nations (UN). The country has close diplomatic ties with its neighbours including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. It also has strong relations with other countries in the Middle East such as Egypt, Iraq and Jordan. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has developed close ties with Western countries such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is an active participant in international diplomacy by participating in initiatives such as UN Security Council which works to maintain global peace and security. Additionally, it contributes to regional stability by participating in programs such as GCC’s Peninsula Shield Force which seeks to counter any external threats against member states. The country also participates in regional initiatives such as OIC’s Islamic Solidarity Fund which promotes economic development among Muslim-majority countries. See recipesinthebox for Saudi Arabia defense and foreign policy.