Saudi Arabia's new King Salman announced a major cabinet reshuffle, a week after he acceded to the throne.
Top officials from the Ports Authority, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the kingdom's police were among those let go, AFP reported.
The Saudi Press Agency said Salman issued a royal order, relieving Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, chief of general intelligence, of his post.
General Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah al-Humaidan became the new intelligence chief, holding cabinet rank.
The change comes after authorities in the kingdom last year blamed suspects linked to the Islamic State group for shooting and wounding a Dane, and for gunning down Shiites. A separate decree said Prince Bandar bin Sultan, a nephew of the late king Abdullah, was removed from his posts as secretary general of the national security council and adviser to the king.
Prince Bandar was the kingdom's ambassador to the United States for 22 years until 2005 before moving to Saudi Arabia's Security Council.
Two sons of Abdullah were also fired: Prince Mishaal, governor of the Mecca region, and Prince Turki, who governed the capital Riyadh, according to the decrees broadcast on Saudi television.
Another of Abdullah's sons, Prince Miteb, retained his position as minister in charge of the national guard, a parallel army of around 200,000 men.
Salman, 79, a half-brother of Abdullah, named a 31-member cabinet whose new faces include the ministers for culture and information, social affairs, civil service, and communications and information technology, among others.
Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi, Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, and Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf stayed in the cabinet of the world's leading oil exporter.
Salman merged the ministries of higher education and education, naming Azzam bin Mohammed al-Dakheel to head the super-ministry.
