Military reinforcement deployed in Ras al-Kheima after a new crown prince was declared
United Arab Emirates, Politics, 6/16/2003

The federal authorities in the United Arab Emirates yesterday sent military reinforcements to Ras al-Kheima Emirate to prevent the occurrence of riots in it after the alienation of its former crown prince to his half brother, according to witnesses.

The same sources said that armored vehicles were deployed in the surrounding of the new crown prince Sheikh Saud Bin Saqer al-Qasimi and the palace of his father -- the ruler of the Emirate Sheikh Saqer Bin Muhammad al- Qasimi.

These reinforcement were sent from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the state of the United Arab Emirates UAE, at the request of Ras al-Kheima authorities ( to the north) with the aim to "preserve stability and public order," according to well informed sources in Ras al-Kheima.

The decision taken by Sheikh Saqer on Saturday to alienate his elder son Khaled from the post of the crown prince to his half brother Saud raised the anger of the partisans of Sheikh Khaled, who want to bring him back to his post.

Tension was escalated between the two sides yesterday and bullet shots were heard in Ras al-Kheima with the sources and reasons not known, according to witnesses.

The UAE news agency said on Saturday that the ruler of Ras al-Khaeima Sheikh Saqer al-Qasimi issued an "Emiri decree for appointing Sheikh Saud Bin Saqer al-Qasimi a crown prince in Raas al-Kheima Emirate as from today ( Saturday), June 14."

News reports gave no mention why Sheikh Saud ( 48 year old) was appointed as a crown prince in the post which has been occupied by his brother Sheikh Khaled ( 63 year old) since more than 40 years.

A well-informed source said that "several hundreds persons headed for the headquarters of the ruler and called on him to give up his decision. He received them and conveyed to them his view points." The source added that the ruler promised "to consider their views," but gave no reasons to alienating Sheikh Khaled from authority." However, he stressed that the matter pertains to " a local matter." Press sources quoted yesterday sources in Ras al-Kheima that the former crown prince Sheikh Khaled Bin Saqer al-Qasimi who was deprived from his tasks on Saturday, more expectedly tried to obstruct work of the new crown prince Sheikh Saud Bin Saqer al-Qasimi in the municipality of Ras al-Kheima which he presides over.

The sources said "several complaints were accumulated before Sheikh Saqer al-Qasimi ( the ruler of the Emirate ) stating that his former crown prince Sheikh Khaled deliberately obstructs certain organizational and investment decrees he issued, especially decisions issued by Ras al-Kheima municipality headed by the new crown prince Sheikh Saud Bin Saqer al-Qasimi."

Even before he was appointed on Saturday in the post of the crown prince, Sheikh Saud used to have a great influence in the Emirate, due to his success in constructing and running several industrial projects in the Emirate including one medicine factory and another for ceramics, besides he is a chairman for the Royal court in Ras al-Kheima and the chairman of its municipal council.

He is also linked to the business sector in Dubai as his mother is from "al-Ghreir" family; one of the largest business families in Dubai. Other sources indicated that the former crown prince was one of the extremist elements concerning the three UAE islands occupied by Iran (Tanb the Great, Tanb the small and Abu Mousa).

Tanb the small and Tanb the Great used to belong to Raas al-Kheima Emirate before they were occupied in 1971, and Abu Mousa belonged to Sharja Emirate. al-Qasimi family rules the two emirates.

The sources indicated that Sheikh Khaled al-Qasimi showed reservations on the way the federal government deals with the issue. Ras al-Kheima Emirate is the fourth UAE emirate in size area and population among the 7 UAE emirates. It is one of the key naval centers and the homeland of the renowned Arab sailor "Ibn Majed."

Worthy mentioning that the United Arab Emirates includes Abu Dhabi, Dubai, al-Sharja, Raas al-Kheima, Um al-Qewin, Ajaman and al-Fujeira."

The UAE armed forces is under the leadership of the UAE higher council which is composed of the rulers of the seven Emirates which constitute the state, headed by the UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan since 1971.

Previous Stories:
  UAE, Iran for maintaining agricultural cooperation   (6/11/2003)
  Khaleifa Bin Zayed, Blair discussed conditions in the region, bilateral relations   (6/6/2003)
  Five women appointed as consultants for the ruler of Sharja   (10/5/2001)
  UAE: the question of the three islands will be discussed later   (7/26/2001)
  Iran and the three Gulf islands   (3/31/2001)
  New crown prince for Sharjah   (5/13/1999)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search