King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia announced Friday, March 18, a new massive program of aid to prevent social tensions in the kingdom, and the substantial strengthening of the security apparatus of the world's biggest oil exporter. These measures include the unemployed, the housing sector and the health sector.
They also provide for the creation of 60,000 additional jobs in the security field, under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior. An initial assessment from the figures established more than 70 billion dollars (50 billion euros) the cost of the subsidy plan, which comes less than a month after an initial package of measures totaling more than $ 36 billion announced by the king on his return from a long absence for health reasons.
"O people of Saudi Arabia, I am proud of you," said King, aged 86, in a rare televised address, followed by a series of royal decrees proclaimed by a presenter. In these decrees, the king announced a monthly assistance to unemployed, the allocation of funds for the construction of 500,000 housing units across the country, a bonus of two months salary for each employee, and an envelope for the sector health.
The king, whose country is far away from social protest that has rocked the Arab world, has also decided to set up a committee to fight against corruption that would be directly under his supervision and may control all government sectors. King Abdullah also assured that the security forces were ready to deal with "all those who consider prejudice" to the kingdom.
Security forces were deployed en masse on March 11 in Riyadh and other Saudi cities where virtually no demonstration has been reported, despite a call Facebook a "day of anger" in the oil kingdom. A new appeal was launched on Facebook for a day of protests on March 20. King Abdullah had already announced Feb.
23 a series of social benefit, including government officials, students and borrowers, valued at $ 36 billion, when political dissent in Arab countries is fueled by social resentment. 
They also provide for the creation of 60,000 additional jobs in the security field, under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior. An initial assessment from the figures established more than 70 billion dollars (50 billion euros) the cost of the subsidy plan, which comes less than a month after an initial package of measures totaling more than $ 36 billion announced by the king on his return from a long absence for health reasons.
"O people of Saudi Arabia, I am proud of you," said King, aged 86, in a rare televised address, followed by a series of royal decrees proclaimed by a presenter. In these decrees, the king announced a monthly assistance to unemployed, the allocation of funds for the construction of 500,000 housing units across the country, a bonus of two months salary for each employee, and an envelope for the sector health.
The king, whose country is far away from social protest that has rocked the Arab world, has also decided to set up a committee to fight against corruption that would be directly under his supervision and may control all government sectors. King Abdullah also assured that the security forces were ready to deal with "all those who consider prejudice" to the kingdom.
Security forces were deployed en masse on March 11 in Riyadh and other Saudi cities where virtually no demonstration has been reported, despite a call Facebook a "day of anger" in the oil kingdom. A new appeal was launched on Facebook for a day of protests on March 20. King Abdullah had already announced Feb.
23 a series of social benefit, including government officials, students and borrowers, valued at $ 36 billion, when political dissent in Arab countries is fueled by social resentment.
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