Saudi Arab

‘A non-royal may win Saudi struggle’

saudi_leadersThe power struggle in Saudi Arabia may be won by someone outside the ruling family or the dynasty’s younger members, a Persian Gulf analyst says.

“The [power] struggle is there and it is very obvious and … it might also bring non-al-Saud players,” said Ali al-Ahmed, Director of the Institute for [Persian] Gulf Affairs (IGA).

“Right now, the power has concentrated on the elderly leaders of [Saudi] ruling family. So if they are gone or die  overnight, somebody might take advantage of that [power] vacuum and it could be the military or somebody from the outside,” he told Press TV on Tuesday.

According to Ahmed, at present the political prospect in Saudi Arabia is too “ambiguous” to be easily predicted.

Referring to the fading power of the elderly members of Saudi family, Ahmed predicted that a new generation of players will emerge in the ruling dynasty.

“There are new players [such as] the son of the minister of interior, Mohammad bin Nayef, the ruler of the eastern province, and the sons of king Abdullah. They are playing an increasing role in the power struggle,” Ahmed said.

The illness of 86-year-old Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has fueled speculations over his potential successor.

The ailing king has curtailed his activities since June, and his illness also forced the monarch to miss his cabinet meeting last week.

Many analysts are speculating that there will be a major power struggle for the crown as all of those in the direct line of succession are elderly.

Although Saudi Arabia is the leading exporter of oil to the world, the kingdom’s population is suffering from massive economic problems, analysts say.

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