Saudi King appointed Prince Saud bin Nayef as the new governor of the kingdom’s oil-rich Eastern Province.

Saudi King appointed Prince Saud bin Nayef as the new governor of the kingdom's oil-rich Eastern Province.

"Prince Mohamad bin Fahad bin Abdulaziz is relieved of his duties as the governor of the Eastern Province, upon his request, and Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz ... is appointed governor of the Eastern province," the Royal Court said in a statement carried by state news agency SPA on Monday.

The newly appointed Prince Saud is Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef's older brother. After serving as ambassador to Spain, Prince Saud was recalled to Riyadh to serve at the court of his late father, Crown Prince Nayef, who was also an interior minister.

Activists in the Eastern Province said it was not clear yet if the change in leadership would have an impact on policy in the region, where its citizens complain of discrimination.

Since early 2011, mainly Shiite towns in Eastern Province of Qatif have seen sporadic protests and confrontations between police and activists.