In November 1979 the Shiite minority in the Eastern Province, particularly in Qatif and in nearby villages, organized protests and several demonstrators were arrested. The major reason for the uprising was negative conditions in villages. In the spring of 1979 King Khalid announced an annual budget of 160 billion Saudi Riyal indicating that this budget would be employed to improve the living conditions of all Saudi citizens. However, the budget did not make any significant contribution to the services for citizens. Instead, the members of the Saudi royal family benefitted from the budget. Following the release of the demonstrators in February 1980, King Khalid and Crown Prince Fahd visited the Eastern region from town to town. Due to King Khalid's policy change towards Shiite population in the region they positively modified their approach towards the Saudi government and abandoned their oppositional ideas and actions.