Article 151 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 151 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الثاني: لجان الضباط الفرعية
The article gives the Minister the right to object to the officers' subcommittees' recommendations, return them for fresh consideration, or issue his decision on them directly, within his powers.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للوزير الاعتراض على توصيات لجان الضباط الفرعية وإعادتها إليها لبحثها من جديد أو يصدر قراره فيها مباشرة في حدود الصلاحيات التي يملكها بمقتضى أحكام هذا النظَام.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 151 explained in plain English
This article gives the Minister powers in respect of the officers' subcommittees' recommendations, similar to those Article 150 gave the Chief of the General Staff:
- Objecting to the recommendations.
- Returning them to the committee to be considered afresh.
- Issuing his decision on them directly.
This is within the powers he holds under the provisions of this Law. The Minister, according to Article 2, is the Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.
A recommendation issued by a subcommittee concerning an officer may therefore be objected to by the Chief of the General Staff under Article 150, or by the Minister under this article, each within his powers.
This article is connected to Article 152, which provides for the organization of the officers' subcommittees' work by a decision of the competent force commander organizing the conduct of the committee's work, its meetings and the determination of the cases entrusted to it in accordance with the provisions of the Law.
The article does not specify which matters are presented to the Minister rather than to the Chief of the General Staff; it refers in that to his powers under the Law.
To assess the position of a particular officer, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in administrative cases.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 151 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
Is the Minister entitled to object to the officers' subcommittees' recommendations?
Yes. He may also return them for fresh consideration or issue his decision on them directly, within his powers under the Law.
Who is the Minister in the Officers Service Law?
According to Article 2, he is the Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.
More articles on Supreme and Branch Officers Committees
- Article 14
The article requires the officer to be informed of the content of an unsatisfactory report and to sign that he has seen it, gives him the right to object to the Officers Committee through his superior within two weeks, and makes the Committee's recommendations final once ratified.
يبلغ الضابط من قبل قائده الذي كتب عنه تقريراً غير مرض بمضمون ذلك التقرير ويوقع بالاطلاع وله الحق في تقديم اعتراضه على كل أو بعض ما ورد بالتقرير إلى لجنة الضباط
- Article 39
The Article provides that officers of all ranks are transferred outside their arm or specialty on the recommendation of the Higher Officers Committee.
يجري نقل الضباط على اختلاف رتبهم خارج السلاح أوالاختصاص بتوصية من لجنة الضباط العليا.
- Article 40Amended (1409 AH)
The Article provides that transfer and confirmation of officers within each force is on the recommendation of the Higher Officers Committee for the rank of lieutenant colonel and above, and by decision of the force commander for major and below.
يجري نقل واثبات الضباط داخل كل قوة بالقوات المسلحة على الوجه الآتي: 1- من رتبة مقدم فما فوق بتوصية من لجنة الضباط العليا. 2- من رتبة رائد فما دون بقرار من قائد
- Article 51
The Article provides that, absent another provision, transfer, appointment, confirmation, attachment and loan under Chapters One and Two of Part Five are by decision of the Minister on the recommendation of the Higher Officers Committee.
فيما لم يرد به نص آخر فإن النقل والتعيين والإثبات والإلحاق والإعارة المنصوص عليها بالفصل الأول والثاني من الباب الخامس من هذا النظَام يتم بقرار من الوزير بناءً
- Article 125
The article lists the matters the Senior Officers Committee considers and makes recommendations on, including appointment, discharge, promotion from major to brigadier general, transfer, secondment and retirement.
تنظر لجنة الضباط العليا وتوصي بالمسائل الآتية : أ- بدء تعيين الضباط بالقوات المسلحة. ب- الاستغناء عن الخدمة والإعادة إليها. ج- منح الأوسمة. د- اختيار أعضاء البع
- Article 126
The article requires the Senior Officers Committee to meet when called by its chairman at least once every fifteen days, with meetings valid when more than half its members attend, including the chairman.
تجتمع اللجنة العليا بدعوة من رئيسها ، ويجب أن تنعقد مرة واحدة كل خمسة عشر يوماً على الأقل وتكون اجتماعاتها نظَامية عند حضور أكثر من نصف أعضائها من بينهم الرئيس.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.

