(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - According to an article entitled The Struggle for Power in Saudi Arabia published in Foreign Policy on June 19, “With the reign of King Abdullah in its twilight, Saudi Arabia has become consumed with speculation about the future of the ruling al-Saud brotherhood.”
The article also said that in recent months, King Abdullah did his best to pave the way for his son Miteb, 61, to become the king of the oil-rich country.
“King Abdullah's remaining energies have been focused on remaking the House of Saud's own leadership. ..Abdullah decreed that the Saudi Royal National Guard, a powerful military force that he commanded for decades, was to become a full-fledged ministry -- and that his son, Miteb, 61, would be the new minister. These moves give Miteb more political clout to compete with other rivals for the throne from the younger generation of al-Sauds,” it said.
The article noted that the leadership turnover in the Arab country is taking place in a critical time and “Saudi leaders have been deeply anxious about the waning of American leadership in the Middle East.”
The 89-year-old king’s health has declined over the past few years, during which he has been hospitalized several times.
Failing health, old age as well as the death of the king’s half-brothers have raised concerns about the future of the oil-rich country in the face of anti-government demonstrations.
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