Saudi king chairs cabinet, no sign of reshuffle

Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:36pm GMT

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* Saudi king chairs first cabinet meeting since return

* King might reshuffle cabinet to address dissent-analysts

By Ulf Laessing

RIYADH, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Saudi King Abdullah chaired the first cabinet meeting on Monday after returning home from three months abroad for health treatment, with no signs of any government reshuffle or reforms demanded by activists.

On Wednesday, Abdullah, who is around 87, came back after receiving back treatment abroad and unveiled benefits worth $37 billion for Saudis in an apparent bid to insulate the top OPEC oil exporter from protests sweeping other Arab countries.

The U.S. ally has avoided large anti-government protests so far, but pressure has been building up on the leadership with activists using petitions to demand a greater public say in a monarchy that has no elected parliament or political parties.

Analysts and diplomats expect the king to make changes in his cabinet where some ministers have been around for decades. He may also announce new municipal elections to address calls for change.

In a statement carried by state news agency SPA, the cabinet did not mention any political reforms, saying only the king's handouts would help provide "a maximum of growth and prosperity". Continued...

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