Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Is There A Growing Rift Between Saudi King Salman And Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman?

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

The Guardian: Rumours grow of rift between Saudi king and crown prince

King Salman said to have been angered by recent moves by Prince Mohammed against him

There are growing signs of a potentially destabilising rift between the king of Saudi Arabia and his heir, the Guardian has been told.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are understood to have disagreed over a number of important policy issues in recent weeks, including the war in Yemen.

The unease is said to have been building since the murder in Turkey of the dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which the CIA has reportedly concluded was ordered by Prince Mohammed. However, these tensions increased dramatically in late February when the king, 83, visited Egypt and was warned by his advisers he was at risk of a potential move against him, according to a detailed account from a source.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I follow Saudi politics very closely, and I do not see any rift. The Crown Prince is many things, but he does not strike me as a person who would usurp the power of his father and King at this moment in time. The Crown Prince is already ruling the Kingdom in all but name, so why destabilize a situation that would only benefit your opponents. So why the Guardian post reporting on rumours of a rift? My gut tells me that that this report is nothing more but wishful thinking from those who oppose the Crown Prince, and who are hoping that there is a rift.

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