Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification)
National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
Constitution: none; governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law)
Legal system: based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD
bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First
Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother
to the King, appointed heir to the throne 13 June 1982)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; dominated by royal family members
appointed by the king
Legislative branch: a consultative council comprised of 60 members and
a chairman who are appointed by the King for a term of four years
Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice
Political parties and leaders: none allowed
Member of: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77,
GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS
(observer), OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO