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Saudi Resignation Prompts Fresh Succession Debate


(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Simon Henderson - The surprise announcement that Saudi Interior Minister Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz has been relieved of his duties and replaced by his nephew, Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, introduces fresh elements of competition into the kingdom's ruling structure. At 72, Prince Ahmed is the youngest of the so-called "Sudairi Seven," the largest group of full brothers among the many sons of Ibn Saud, the modern kingdom's founder. The current monarch, King Abdullah, will turn 90 next year and is in failing health, while Crown Prince Salman (76) is widely reported to be in a poor mental state. The appointment of Prince Muhammad (53) will likely prompt jealously from some of his older and (until today) more senior cousins. The writer is director of the Gulf and Energy Policy Program at The Washington Institute.
2012-11-08 00:00:00
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