New ambassador to Saudi Arabia announced

Australia's next ambassador to Saudi Arabia has been announced, as the government looks to restart trade talks with the Gulf states.

The former ambassador to Egypt Ralph King is expected to take up his post next month, with non-resident accreditation to Bahrain, Oman and Yemen.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said expanding commercial links with Saudi Arabia is a key priority of the government and it looks forward to resuming free trade agreement negotiations.

Dr King has previously served overseas and worked as a speechwriter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra.