RAS-AL-KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates: The ruler of Ras Al-Khaimah, one of the seven United Arab Emirates, dethroned his eldest son Saturday to appoint a younger son as his successor. The change came in an Amiri decree Saturday by Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed al-Qassimi, one of the world's longest-serving rulers, WAM said. He has been ruler since 1948. The decree appoints Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qassimi, in his late 40s, as the Crown Prince, replacing Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr al-Qassimi, the heir to the throne for the last 37 years. It was not immediately clear why Khalid, the only Crown Prince the emirate has had, was removed from the post he held since 1966.
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Khalid has been the de factor ruler of the emirate for the past four years, owing to the ill-health of his octogenarian father. Sources close to the ruling family said minor disputes broke out between Saud and Khalid, and were brought to the attention of the ruler, before Saturday's decree was issued. The sources refused to discuss the details of the dispute, which highlighted a power struggle within the family over who will be the successor. Prior to his appointment as crown prince, Saud was chairman of Ras al-Khaimah's royal court, which mainly handles administrative responsibilities. Saud is the son of Sheik's Saar's third wife, the daughter of the one of UAE's most prominent businessman, Ahmed al-Ghurair. Saud is married to the daughter of another prominent businessman, Hana bint Jumaa al-Majid. |