Saudi succession
Assassination attempt improves Mohammed Bin
Nayef’s 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*
T
here 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 minister’s 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-
Awsat published a detailed report on MBN’s 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,
GSN has previously noted that, working with his first cousin
and ally Eastern Province governor Prince Mohammed Bin
Fahd, he has been behind a number of heavy-handed
crackdowns against the Shia population (GSN 860/4).
Increasing prominence for Sudeiri grandsons
With 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 MBN’s 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-Ghamdi’s family, helping them
financially and paying for medical treatment of family
GULF STATES NEWSLETTER • VOLUME 33 • ISSUE 863 • 23 OCTOBER 2009
Politics: opinion
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 MBN’s softer side should not
overshadow his track record of fighting extremists – most of
the 45 Saudis on the Kingdom’s most-wanted list have been
killed or captured.
A flawed list of contenders
MBN’s 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 MBN’s 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 family’s
Jiluwi branch. He is also married to Reema Bint Sultan, a
daughter of the crown prince. Even without his father
becoming King as expected, MBN’s 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.
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