8/8/2019 Assassination attempt improves Mohammed Bin Nayefs fortunes GSN Issue 863, 23 October 2009

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S a u d i s u c c e s s i o n P o l i t i c s : o p i n i o n

GULF STATES NEWSLETTER VOLUME 33 ISSUE 863 23 OCTOBER 2009 5

There has been an unusual development in the much-

debated topic of the Saudi succession, with the late

August assassination attempt on Assistant Interior

Minister Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef Bin Abdelaziz Al-

Saud (MBN) by Yemeni-born suicide bomber Abdullah

Hassan Tali Al-Asiri catapulting the interior ministers son

to the front of a group of third-generation contenders for

the throne (GSN 861/8, 860/1).Observers have noted the difference between MBN and his

father, Prince Nayef Bin Abdelaziz, in dealing with Sunni

terrorists. The extremist mentality that was partially tolerated

by Nayef is being amended by MBN, who has overseen

much of the Saudi terrorist rehabilitation programme since

its inception. Shortly after the attack, the daily Al-Sharq Al-

Awsatpublished a detailed report on MBNs role in fighting

extremists and commented:They [the extremists] have lost

the kindest person dealing with them. But while MBN may

have a softer touch where Sunni opponents are concerned,

GSNhas previously noted that, working with his first cousin

and ally Eastern Province governor Prince Mohammed BinFahd, he has been behind a number of heavy-handed

crackdowns against the Shia population (GSN 860/4).

Increasing prominence for Sudeiri grandsonsWith Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdelaziz out of the

Kingdom for nearly a year for treatment, Nayef following

his elevation to second deputy premier in April has been

undertaking the kind of duties normally reserved for the heir

apparent: meeting military officials, hosting provincial

governor meetings and receiving outgoing ambassadors

(GSN 851/1). This has allowed MBN an increased role in

the day-to-day running of the Ministry of Interior. Deputy

Defence Minister Prince Khalid Bin Sultan is in a similar

position, taking on more responsibility at the Ministry of

Defence and Aviation (GSN 846/5, 845/1). MBN was

recently in the United States for a three-day visit, during

which he met senior officials, including President Barack

Obama (see Royals Watch).

The relatively young MBNs most prominent role came in

June 2003,when Saudi terrorist mastermind Ali Al-Ghamdi

handed himself over to the prince. MBN has gone on to

show kindness to Al-Ghamdis family, helping them

financially and paying for medical treatment of family

members. After the attempted assassination on 27 August,

MBN rang the parents of Al-Asiri to express his condolences.

While such behaviour might be considered odd in western

countries, in the tribal societies of the Arab world it is a

public relations triumph not to mention paternal sentiments

towards wayward sons. But MBNs softer side should not

overshadow his track record of fighting extremists most of

the 45 Saudis on the Kingdoms most-wanted list have been

killed or captured.

A flawed list of contendersMBNs chances of becoming the first sovereign from among

the grandsons of King Abdelaziz are also boosted by the

problems ranging from corruption allegations to ill health

to foreign mothers of some other contenders. From the

second generation, Prince Miqrin continues to be mentioned

as a strong candidate, although his mother wasYemeni, which

may count against him (GSN 828/3, 827/16,820/8, 805/4,

772/7). Another younger-generation prince considered to

be in the running is Saudi Commission for Tourism chairman

Sultan, son of popular Riyadh governor Prince Salman Bin

Abdelaziz. There has also been some talk of Prince Bandar

Bin Khalid Al-Faisal Bin Abdelaziz, who does not yet hold

a public role but is considered by some to be a rising star due

to his profile outside the Kingdom. His father, Prince

Khalid, has been in the limelight following his appointment

as Makkah governor in May 2007 (GSN 822/7, 820/8,

806/7, 806/7, 805/40).

Few of the younger princes can match MBNs credentials,

not least his impeccable bloodline he is descended from

the Al-Saud family through both parents as his mother,

Jawahar Bint Abdelaziz Bin Musaid, is from the familys

Jiluwi branch. He is also married to Reema Bint Sultan, a

daughter of the crown prince. Even without his father

becoming King as expected, MBNs claims to the throne are

unrivalled in one aspect: out of some thousands of Al-Saud

royals,including the top 100 or so involved in security affairs,

MBN is one of the very few to be able to claim that he has

paid in blood for his country and that is a tough claim to

beat.

* Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi is a non-resident fellow of the Dubai

School of Government and a columnist forThe National newspaper

in Abu Dhabi.

Assassination attempt improves Mohammed BinNayefs fortunes

Regional attention is focusing on the assistant interior minister as a serious contender for the Saudi throne

following his narrow escape from a terrorist attack, writes Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi*