DHAKA: Saudi King Abdullah appointed a new spy chief, giving the job to the former deputy defence minister days after sacking him from that post.

SPA state news agency reported Tuesday, says gulfnews.com.

Prince Khaled bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz had been unexpectedly removed from his post on Saturday at the request of his boss the defence minister, after only 45 days on the job.

There was no reason for his sacking but early Tuesday the SPA said that Prince Khaled had been appointed ‘head of the General Intelligence with a minister rank’ by royal decree.

The announcement comes after jihadists spearheading an offensive in Iraq have declared on Sunday an ‘Islamic caliphate’, ordering Muslims around the world to pledge allegiance to their chief.

Saudi Arabia has watched with increasing alarm in recent weeks as the jihadists, who count Saudi citizens in their number, have seized swathes of territory.

BDST: 2114 HRS, JULY 01, 2014