Two powerful religious officials in Saudi Arabia have been sacked by in a shake-up of the cabinet and other government posts by King Abdullah.
One of those dismissed was the head of the religious police force. The other was the country's most senior judge.
The king also appointed the country's first-ever female minister and replaced the head of the central bank.
Norah al-Faiz now holds the most senior official position a woman has held in Saudi Arabia. She has been appointed to the newly-created post of deputy education minister for women's affairs.
However, the BBC reports the kingdom remains an absolute monarchy and real political change is not on the agenda.
King Abdullah came to power in 2005.
Sacked officials
The sacked head judge, Sheikh Salih Ibn al-Luhaydan, caused controversy last September when he said it was permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV channels which broadcast immoral programmes.
He also said some "evil" entertainment programmes aired by the channels promoted debauchery.
The shake-up also affected the religious police organisation, known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.
Sheikh Ibrahim al-Ghaith has lost his job as head of the religious police organisation, known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.
The commission has wide powers to search for alcohol and drugs, to crack down on prostitution and ensure shops are closed during prayer times.
