Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (UPI) Official sources in the Saudi capital Riyadh said Friday King Fahd is dead, reports the Saudi Institute. The official announcement is being held back to ensure a quiet succession for Crown Prince Abdullah without the power struggle breaking out in the open.

The official announcement of King Fahd's death will impact the succession of the would-be king, Crown Prince Abdullah, who is half brother to the Sudairi Seven.

The Sudairis share one mother and include Fahd, Defense Minister Sultan, Interior Minister Naif, Governor of Riyadh Salman and other Sudiaris who form the most powerful alliance in the ruling tribe of Al-Saud, according to the Saudi Institute.

"Abdullah will find it impossible to wrestle the throne away from the Sudairis who want to maintain power in their branch.

Middle-east Online

_____________________

The official announcement of King Fahd's death will impact the succession of the would-be king, Crown Prince Abdullah, who is half brother to the Sudairi Seven.

The Sudairis share one mother and include Fahd, Defense Minister Sultan, Interior Minister Naif, Governor of Riyadh Salman and other Sudiaris who form the most powerful alliance in the ruling tribe of Al-Saud, according to the Saudi Institute.

"Abdullah will find it impossible to wrestle the throne away from the Sudairis who want to maintain power in their branch. The struggle between the Sudairis and Abdullah, if any, would be pose a greater threat to the regime than violent groups who have been engaged in at times fierce clashes with government forces," reported the Saudi Institute.

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia has been dead since late Wednesday, according to several well-placed sources in the capital Riyadh who spoke to the Saudi Institute, a pro- democracy think tank in Washington, on condition of anonymity.

The government also canceled all military leave, "a sure sign that something is happening," said the Saudi Institute.

There was no confirmation of heightened security alert reported by some western media and denied by the government, who also denied the king is dead, but said he was in the hospital.

A spokesman for the Saudi Institute told United Press International "the official death of the king will be announced this week after the succession issue is resolved." Till then Fahd's body will be kept in the hospital in a brain dead state that it is.

Story Credits: Washington Times

__________________________________________________

Discuss this article