Article 35 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
المادة 35 من نظام خدمة الضباط · الفصل الأول: الاختيار والنقل
The article provides that the Chief of the General Staff is selected by order of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يتم اختيار رئيس هيئة الأركان العامة بأمر من القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة.
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 35 explained in plain English
This article identifies the authority that selects the Chief of the General Staff, which is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and this is done by order of his.
The article is short but serves a clear purpose; it makes selection for this highest command post a matter for the Supreme Commander directly. Note that the text does not mention a recommendation or proposal from another body preceding the order, and is limited to the wording "by order of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces."
This article does not address his powers, the conditions for the person selected, or the length of his holding the post.
The article appears among the provisions on selection and transfer, beginning with the highest posts in the General Staff before regulating the transfer and confirmation of officers.
The practical meaning for the reader is that the appointment of the Chief of the General Staff is not an administrative decision issued by the Ministry, but an order issued by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. This article is useful for understanding the command structure of the Armed Forces more than for the rights of the individual officer.
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 35 of the Saudi Officers Service Law
Who selects the Chief of the General Staff?
He is selected by order of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Does the article set conditions for selecting the Chief of the General Staff?
No. The article is limited to providing that selection is by order of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
More articles on Officer Transfer, Secondment and Loan
- Article 36Amended (1438 AH)
The article provides that the Deputy Chief of the General Staff and the commanders of the Land, Air, Naval, Air Defense and Strategic Missile Forces are selected by order of the Supreme Commander on the recommendation of the Minister of Defense.
يتم اختيار نائب رئيس هيئة الأركان العامة وقائد القوات البرية وقائد القوات الجوية وقائد القوات البحرية وقائد قوات الدفاع الجوي وقائد قوة الصواريخ الاستراتيجية بأ
- Article 38
The Article bars appointing an officer to a leadership post unless fully qualified, and provides that where more than one officer is nominated, the more competent officers are preferred.
لا يعين الضباط في منصب قيادي ما لم يكن تام التأهيل وإذا رشح أكثر من ضابط لتولي منصب قيادي فيفضل اختيار الضباط الأكفاء.
- 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 41
The Article provides that an officer serves in field units for the longest possible period and is not transferred from them, or from the arm he serves in, except in case of extreme necessity.
يخدم الضابط في الوحدات الميدانية أطول مدة ممكنة ولا ينقل منها أو من السلاح الذي يعمل فيه إلا عند الضرورة القصوى.
- Article 42
The Article permits an officer to fill a post of a rank higher than his own, provided the difference does not exceed two ranks.
يجوز أن يشغل الضابط وظيفة ذات رتبة أعلى من رتبته على أن لا تتجاوز رتبتين على الأكثر.
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.