RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s state news agency says King Abdullah has named a new intelligence chief and elevated a former spy chief to a new advisory position.

The Saudi Press Agency late Monday said the king named Prince Khalid bin Bandar to the post of chief of general intelligence. Khalid was relieved of his post as deputy defense minister on Saturday, barely six weeks after he was appointed.

In a separate decree, the monarch named the former intelligence chief, Bandar bin Sultan, as adviser and special envoy to the king.

Bandar was ambassador to the U.S. for 22 years before becoming director general of Saudi Intelligence Agency in July 2012. He played a key role in overseeing the kingdom’s support for Syrian rebels before being relieved of his post earlier this year.

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