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Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050531-115115-5608r.htm
Saudi Succession Woes
(UPI/Washington Times) Claude Salhani - The Royal House of Saud - and, in fact, Saudi Arabia - has long been ruled by the "Sudairi Seven" - seven powerful brothers who control the most important jobs in the kingdom. For the past 10 years, King Fahd has suffered from ill health. As a result, Crown Prince Abdullah has managed the day-to-day affairs of the kingdom. Yet Abdullah is "only" a half-brother to the Sudairi Seven and, with increasing reports of Fahd's decline, Saudi analysts believe Abdullah "will find it impossible to wrestle the throne away from the Sudairis, who many feel want to maintain power" within their branch of the family.