Saudi king fires protocol chief after photographer slapped

In this Monday, May 14, 2012 photo, the then Saudi chief of protocol Mohammed al-Tobayshi waits to welcome Arab leaders for the Arab Summit at the airbase in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi King Salman has fired the chief of royal protocol after he was caught on camera slapping a photographer. The official Saudi Press Agency and local media reported Tuesday, May 5, 2015 that al-Tobayshi was replaced by Khalid al-Abbad, though no reason was given for the change. AP

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi King Salman has fired the chief of royal protocol after he was caught on camera slapping a photographer.

The official Saudi Press Agency and local media reported Tuesday that Mohammed al-Tobayshi was replaced by Khalid al-Abbad, though no reason was given for the change.

The move came just days after video appeared online of al-Tobayshi apparently slapping a photographer who was taking pictures of the Saudi monarch as he welcomed Moroccan King Mohammed VI in Riyadh last week.

Last month, the Saudi king sacked his newly appointed health minister after video circulated online of him visibly angry and arguing with a citizen.

The new monarch, who took the throne earlier this year, has been keen to show that the government is responsive to Saudi citizens and acts decisively.

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