(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Saudi Arabia might see a power struggle for the throne if the country's Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz dies, says a political analyst.
“You will see a competition, you will see a struggle between members and brothers and cousins in the family,” said Ali Al-Ahmed, director of Institute for [Persian] Gulf Affairs (IGA) in Washington.
They will “clamber [over each other] for positions in the administration,” he added.
Ahmad said the people of Saudi Arabia are going to have a hard time dealing with the power struggle among the royal family but the Saudi officials use money to “shut them up.”
The crown prince has served as Saudi Arabia's defense minister for the past five decades.
In June, the official Saudi Press Agency reported that the crown prince would make a private visit to the US, during which he would undergo a medical examination.
In November 2010, Saudi King Abdullah also underwent an operation at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
The health condition of King Abdullah and the crown prince have fueled speculations over the potential successor to Saudi Arabia's throne.
Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, Sultan's full brother who is considered second in line to the throne, has undergone unspecified medical treatment in the past 20 months as well.
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Political analyst: There is harsh struggle between members and brothers and cousins in the Saudi kingdom family
11 July 2011 - 19:30
News ID: 252876
Saudi Arabia might see a power struggle for the throne if the country's Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz dies, says a political analyst.
