Reuters Report on the Change of Crown Prince and Power Shift in Saudi Arabia

Reuters, citing statements from several Saudi officials and sources close to the former crown prince, has published a report on the power transition in Riyadh, stating that the current king is preparing to hand over the throne to his young son, Mohammed bin Salman. On June 21, King Salman bin Abdulaziz appointed his son Mohammed bin Salman as crown prince, replacing Mohammed bin Nayef, who had been the crown prince until that day. During this transition, Mohammed bin Nayef, a well-known figure in the Saudi royal family among Western officials for his actions against Al-Qaeda, lost all his government positions. According to Reuters and a source close to bin Nayef, the king asked him to step down because he is 'addicted.' This source reported that on June 20, 'Mohammed bin Nayef was summoned to meet the king.' He went to the fourth floor of the palace, and the king entered for their meeting: 'They were alone in the room. The king said: I asked you to step down from power; you did not heed my advice regarding your addiction, which has dangerously affected your decision-making.' Reuters states that during these hours, a letter explaining the reason for Mohammed bin Nayef's dismissal was prepared for the council known as the 'Allegiance Council,' which is responsible for selecting the king and crown prince. According to the report, while this letter was being read to the members of the 'Allegiance Council,' Mohammed bin Nayef spent the entire night in a room alone, without access to his advisors, without access to a phone, and in the presence of guards, except for his usual guards. In the letter regarding the change of crown prince, as a Saudi source told Reuters, the reasons for the changes were cited as health issues and 'addiction' of Mohammed bin Nayef. The letter stated that the royal family had been trying to help him overcome his addiction, but this had not happened, and as a result, 'due to his dangerous condition, he has been removed from succession, and Mohammed bin Salman has been chosen as his successor.' According to this report, except for three individuals, the remaining members of the 34-member 'Allegiance Council' have expressed their agreement. As Reuters states, 'the coup was successful.' Reuters claims it cannot confirm the details of Mohammed bin Nayef's 'addiction.' A senior member of the Saudi royal family, in an email to the news agency, described the reports and statements as 'fantastical' and 'Hollywood-like,' asserting that the power transition from bin Nayef to bin Salman was not done 'under pressure or disrespect' but solely for national interests. Three sources from the Saudi royal family, four Arab officials with ties to the Saudi family, and some diplomats in the region have told Reuters that Mohammed bin Nayef was surprised and bewildered by the order to resign from power. 'Mohammed bin Nayef is leaving the residence.' During the announcement of the crown prince transition in Saudi Arabia, a short video was also released showing the meeting between Mohammed bin Nayef (the former crown prince) and Mohammed bin Salman (the appointed one), which was aired for a while on Saudi state media. In this video, bin Nayef enters a room where bin Salman and television cameras were present. Bin Salman suddenly kisses bin Nayef. Bin Nayef also pledges loyalty, and pleasantries are exchanged between them. According to Reuters, the process of obtaining the 'Allegiance Council's' agreement was ongoing before this video was recorded; requests for bin Nayef's resignation from power had been documented and communicated to him. According to two Saudi sources with ties to the royal family, only three individuals: the representative of the Abdullah family, Prince Mohammed bin Saad, and the former interior minister, opposed the transition. Reuters was unable to contact any of these three individuals. Bin Nayef ultimately surrendered to the circumstances and told one of the advisors in the royal court that he wanted to meet with King Salman. The meeting was brief. Mohammed bin Nayef agreed to step down from the crown prince position. At this point, as he was leaving the king's residence, he was surprised to see Mohammed bin Salman and television cameras waiting for him. Shortly after, on June 21, a recorded statement from King Salman regarding the appointment of his son in place of his nephew was released. Another topic reflected in the Reuters report is the 'house arrest' of bin Nayef. According to this report, citing sources speaking to Reuters, Mohammed bin Nayef has been allowed to meet with his elderly mother in recent weeks. His guards have also been changed. Nevertheless, a senior member of the Saudi royal family stated that he had guests, including the king and the new crown prince. A source close to Mohammed bin Nayef said he wished to take his family to Switzerland or London, but the king and crown prince decided that he must remain in the country: 'He was not given any other choice.' According to Reuters, the CIA and the White House have refrained from commenting on the report and details released, but a senior U.S. official stated that the United States was aware that Mohammed bin Salman was the king's favorite, although 'beyond that, it is very vague.' Over the years, with the significant advancement of Mohammed bin Salman in the court, media outlets have repeatedly referred to him as the new influential figure in the Saudi family. Bin Salman was appointed Minister of Defense in 2015, at the same time that bin Nayef became crown prince. Bin Salman, the youngest Minister of Defense of Saudi Arabia, is described by some observers as the architect of the military intervention in Yemen. He is also the one who stated last May: Riyadh will not wait for war to enter Saudi Arabia and will work to bring the battle to Iran. Despite this, Reuters states that the speed of this young prince's advancement was contrary to expectations, and the agency has also reported on the likelihood of his imminent kingship. Reuters, quoting one of the Saudi sources, says King Salman has recently recorded a statement announcing the transfer of power to his son. This statement could be broadcast at any time, and it is possible that it will be announced by September. None of the official Saudi officials or other countries allied with Saudi Arabia, including the United States, have confirmed such a thing.