In a sudden move, Saudi King Abdullah has named Prince Nayef, Minister of Interior, as Second Deputy Premier, next in line to the throne after Deputy Premier Prince Sultan who is also Minister of Defense. The position had been left unfilled when Abdullah ascended to the throne following the death of King Fahd.
This move has much novel about it. It is the first such nomination made since the creation of the ‘Allegiance Association’, developed in order to regularize issue of succession. The reasoning behind the nomination—why now? why Nayef?—is not entirely clear. AFP, in its reporting, notes that Sultan has been out of the country since November due to health issues. It might be that the King feels uncomfortable with no one ready to step up if something should happen to him. It might be that Sultan’s health is, as some have reported, in a rapidly deteriorating state and that he will not live much longer.
Saudi Prince Nayef named deputy premier
RIYADH (AFP) — Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Nayef has been named second deputy premier, placing him just behind ailing Crown Prince Sultan in the political hierarchy, the state SPA news agency reported on Friday.
“His Royal Highness Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz has been appointed second deputy prime minister,” it said in a one-sentence statement.
Prince Nayef, about 75, was elevated to the job that has been vacant since his half-brother King Abdullah ascended the throne in 2005 and his full brother Sultan became first deputy premier.
The king, about 85 years old, is also the prime minister in the Saudi absolute monarchy.
The announcement came as Sultan, who is also minister of defence, was in New York convalescing from his second operation in five months for an unnamed illness.
…
The Associated Press, in its reporting, highlights the fact that some Saudis—including Prince Talal bin Abdelaziz—are concerned that the nomination not be treated as a ‘done deal’, asserting that it must go through the Allegiance Association before it becomes fact.
Saudi king names 2nd deputy PM in succession move
Donna Abu-NasrRIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has appointed the kingdom’s powerful interior minister and his half brother as the nation’s second deputy prime minister, according to an announcement late Friday.
The appointment indicates a succession order in the royal family, after four years of speculation over who will be the next-in-line once current heir, Prince Sultan, becomes king.
A royal statement carried by the official SPA news agency says Prince Nayef will take over the post, which is seen as a crown-prince-in-waiting.
The Saudi constitution does not require the king to appoint a second deputy prime minister but Friday’s move is also important because it will allow Abdullah to travel abroad.
With Sultan away in the United States on medical treatment, Nayef’s appointment will ensure that when Abdullah goes to the Arab Summit in Qatar next week and later to the G-20 meetings, somebody will be in charge at home.
However, Nayef’s appointment as second to the throne will still have to go through the Allegiance Association, set up by Abdullah in 2006 and composed of his brothers and some of his nephews who all vote by a secret ballot to choose future kings and crown princes. The Allegiance is expected to have the final say on who becomes crown prince after Sultan, who is in his 80s.
…
I cannot say I’m thrilled with this nomination: I have little faith in Pr. Nayef’s ability to rule effectively, particularly during a period of rapid social change. He is an unrepentant conservative and unfortunately one prone to accepting conspiracy theories about how the world and world politics work. He remains convinced, for example, that Israel was somehow behind the tragedy of 9/11. He is also known to support the extreme end of the religious spectrum, not something that bodes well for continued reform in the Kingdom.
of Saudi Arabia”
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
March:28:2009 - 00:19
The very limited changes that Abd’Allah have made will all be rolled back, and some, if Nayf ever becomes King.
If Abd’Allah was really interested in reform he wouldnt have made this move. To me I think it shows everyone that the half hearted jestures made by Abd’Allah so far have been nothing but window dressing!
March:28:2009 - 02:09
Abu Sinan, The “Sudairi Seven” is a very powerful clique within the royal family. It includes Sultan, Nayef, and Salman. Nayef is the oldest offspring of Abdulaziz’s sons who’s up for this position.
You can not expect Abdullah to go over him without a valid justification. Nayef won’t let it go.
John, among all the vices of Nayef, you picked his belief that Israel has something to do with 9/11?!
March:28:2009 - 02:41
That’s is very concerning news. Pr. Nayef also has a reputation of being unreasonable, as he was actually chiding the media over the Qatif girl episode.
March:28:2009 - 06:42
I thought that particular thing had resonance for readers who hadn’t lived in the KSA.
March:28:2009 - 06:44
I don’t think this really undercuts the King’s intentions on reform, though it does complicate them.
What if, for example, the King knew that Nayef would not get the nod from the Allegiance Association, but nominated him in order to let him fail?
March:28:2009 - 07:42
“Appointing the members (of the Shura Council) always ensures that the best are selected,” Interior Minister Prince Nayef told al-Jazirah daily. Asked if that could include women, he said: “I don’t see the need for that.” ……
just in case there was any doubt
March:28:2009 - 09:15
Just in case…
March:28:2009 - 23:25
For some reason I couldn’t post yesterday- but you all pretty much covered what I would say. I can only add I hope never to experience it firsthand.
March:29:2009 - 09:08
Islam And The West Accelerated Links [03/29/2009]…
Crossroads Arabia worries about Saudi Arabia’s future under Prince/King Naif….
March:30:2009 - 09:07
Perfect recipe for a revolution!
March:30:2009 - 09:18
Except for the fact that those who might revolt aren’t the ones with armed forces, I suppose so…
March:30:2009 - 09:35
Neither were the ones in the history of mankind but that didn’t stop them nor make them any less successful…
March:30:2009 - 10:34
Oh, there are plenty of failed ‘revolutions’ throughout history!
March:30:2009 - 12:30
Sure there are…but fear of failure isn’t always a deterrent when emotions and other circumstances run high. Only under extreme duress with no hope in sight one might say to themselves, “This life is so horrible already (can’t get any worse), it is not even worth living for anymore (as I am stripped of all personal power and self determination)…so I might as well go out fighting even if death be the consequence!”