Saudi Arabia detains two senior members royals, including king's brother
Saudi Arabia has detained two senior members of the Saudi royal family - Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, the younger brother of King Salman, and Mohammed bin Nayef, the king’s nephew, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Two of the men were among the kingdom's most influential figures.
The detentions are seen as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tightening his grip on power.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman’s son and the de facto ruler of the world’s top oil exporter and key U.S. ally, has moved to consolidate power since ousting his cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef, as heir to the throne in a palace coup in 2017.
He arrested several royals in an anti-corruption campaign later that year.
Reuters could not immediately determine the reasons behind the detentions. One source said the detentions took place on Friday.
The Wall Street Journal reported the detentions of the two royals earlier on Friday, and said they related to an alleged coup attempt.
The Saudi government media office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Saudi officials could not be immediately reached for comment early on Saturday.
In 2017 dozens of Saudi royal figures, ministers and businessmen were confined to Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel after the crown prince ordered their arrests. Prince Mohammed has fueled resentment among some prominent branches of the ruling family by tightening his grip on power and some question his ability to lead following the 2018 murder of a prominent journalist by Saudi agents and the largest-ever attack on Saudi oil infrastructure last year, sources have said.
They said royals seeking to change the line of succession view Prince Ahmed, King Salman’s only surviving full brother, as a possible choice who would have support of family members, the security apparatus, and some Western powers.
The detentions were first revealed by the Wall Street Journal newspaper, which said they took place early on Friday.
The three men arrested are the king's younger brother Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, former crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef, and a royal cousin, Prince Nawaf bin Nayef. Saudi insiders and Western diplomats say the family is unlikely to oppose the crown prince while the 84-year-old king remains alive, recognizing that the king is unlikely to turn against his favorite son. The monarch has delegated most responsibilities of rule to his son but still presides over weekly cabinet meetings and receives foreign dignitaries.
Mohammed bin Nayef was interior minister until he was removed from his role and placed under house arrest by Mohammed Bin Salman in 2017. In his previous role, he was seen as a close and trusted partner by US intelligence officials.
In 2018 he made comments seen as critical of the crown prince to protesters in London but later said he had been misinterpreted. Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, 78, is the king's only surviving full brother.
Both men were seen as potential rivals to the 34-year-old crown prince, who is first in line for the throne. Mohammed bin Nayef’s movements have been restricted and monitored since then, sources have previously said.
Guards arrived at the homes of the royals wearing masks and dressed in black, and searched the properties, the Wall Street Journal says.
Saudi Arabia is also the current chair for the Group of 20 major economies. The latest detentions come at a time of heightened tension with regional rival Iran and as Crown Prince Mohammed implements ambitious social and economic reforms, including an initial public offering by oil giant Saudi Aramco on the domestic bourse last December.
Prince Ahmed bin Abdelaziz is one of the last surviving sons of the country's founder, King Abdelaziz, and widely respected amongst older members of the ruling family. This is a significant move by Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to consolidate his position.
Before that, as interior minister, he was credited with defeating the al-Qaeda insurgency that gripped Saudi Arabia in the 2000s. The other senior prince, Mohammed bin Nayef, was next in line to the throne before he was suddenly replaced three years ago.
There has been no immediate official confirmation or denial of the story published in the US media but palace affairs in Saudi Arabia are often shrouded in secrecy.
Prince Mohammed has been lauded at home for easing social restrictions in the Muslim kingdom and opening up the economy. He has also been criticised over the continuing conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia backs pro-government forces, and the harsh treatment of women's rights activists. despite the lifting of some restrictions including the right to drive.
In recent days Saudi Arabia has been taking measures to contain the spread of the deadly new coronavirus.
Foreign pilgrims have been prevented from entering the country to perform Umrah, or pilgrimage, and there are questions over whether the hugely important annual Hajj will go ahead this year,
On Thursday Islam's holiest city Mecca was emptied to allow a deep clean.
Saudi Arabia has detained two senior members of the Saudi royal family - Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, the younger brother of King Salman, and Mohammed bin Nayef, the king’s nephew, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Two of the men were among the kingdom's most influential figures.
The detentions are seen as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tightening his grip on power.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman’s son and the de facto ruler of the world’s top oil exporter and key U.S. ally, has moved to consolidate power since ousting his cousin, Mohammed bin Nayef, as heir to the throne in a palace coup in 2017.
He arrested several royals in an anti-corruption campaign later that year.
Reuters could not immediately determine the reasons behind the detentions. One source said the detentions took place on Friday.
The Wall Street Journal reported the detentions of the two royals earlier on Friday, and said they related to an alleged coup attempt.
The Saudi government media office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Saudi officials could not be immediately reached for comment early on Saturday.
In 2017 dozens of Saudi royal figures, ministers and businessmen were confined to Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel after the crown prince ordered their arrests. Prince Mohammed has fueled resentment among some prominent branches of the ruling family by tightening his grip on power and some question his ability to lead following the 2018 murder of a prominent journalist by Saudi agents and the largest-ever attack on Saudi oil infrastructure last year, sources have said.
They said royals seeking to change the line of succession view Prince Ahmed, King Salman’s only surviving full brother, as a possible choice who would have support of family members, the security apparatus, and some Western powers.
The detentions were first revealed by the Wall Street Journal newspaper, which said they took place early on Friday.
The three men arrested are the king's younger brother Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, former crown prince Mohammed bin Nayef, and a royal cousin, Prince Nawaf bin Nayef. Saudi insiders and Western diplomats say the family is unlikely to oppose the crown prince while the 84-year-old king remains alive, recognizing that the king is unlikely to turn against his favorite son. The monarch has delegated most responsibilities of rule to his son but still presides over weekly cabinet meetings and receives foreign dignitaries.
Mohammed bin Nayef was interior minister until he was removed from his role and placed under house arrest by Mohammed Bin Salman in 2017. In his previous role, he was seen as a close and trusted partner by US intelligence officials.
In 2018 he made comments seen as critical of the crown prince to protesters in London but later said he had been misinterpreted. Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, 78, is the king's only surviving full brother.
Both men were seen as potential rivals to the 34-year-old crown prince, who is first in line for the throne. Mohammed bin Nayef’s movements have been restricted and monitored since then, sources have previously said.
Guards arrived at the homes of the royals wearing masks and dressed in black, and searched the properties, the Wall Street Journal says.
Saudi Arabia is also the current chair for the Group of 20 major economies. The latest detentions come at a time of heightened tension with regional rival Iran and as Crown Prince Mohammed implements ambitious social and economic reforms, including an initial public offering by oil giant Saudi Aramco on the domestic bourse last December.
Prince Ahmed bin Abdelaziz is one of the last surviving sons of the country's founder, King Abdelaziz, and widely respected amongst older members of the ruling family. This is a significant move by Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to consolidate his position.
Before that, as interior minister, he was credited with defeating the al-Qaeda insurgency that gripped Saudi Arabia in the 2000s. The other senior prince, Mohammed bin Nayef, was next in line to the throne before he was suddenly replaced three years ago.
There has been no immediate official confirmation or denial of the story published in the US media but palace affairs in Saudi Arabia are often shrouded in secrecy.
Prince Mohammed has been lauded at home for easing social restrictions in the Muslim kingdom and opening up the economy. He has also been criticised over the continuing conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia backs pro-government forces, and the harsh treatment of women's rights activists. despite the lifting of some restrictions including the right to drive.
In recent days Saudi Arabia has been taking measures to contain the spread of the deadly new coronavirus.
Foreign pilgrims have been prevented from entering the country to perform Umrah, or pilgrimage, and there are questions over whether the hugely important annual Hajj will go ahead this year,
On Thursday Islam's holiest city Mecca was emptied to allow a deep clean.
