Saudi opposition reject allegiance to King Abdullah
Saudi Arabia, Politics, 8/4/2005

The Islamic movement for reforms in Saudi Arabia, which takes London as a headquarters, refused to support Bai'a (traditional pledge of allegiance) for the new king and his crown prince, and called for the release of the political detainees in the kingdom.

The leader of the movement Saad al-Faqih said that the movement and its supporter do not recognize the Bai'a, because the regime does not enjoy a religious legitimacy, as he alleged.

He added that King Abdullah should free political prisoners and permit the freedom of expression, right of assembly, and the independence of judiciary, calling on his supporters to express their rejection of the Bai'a during tomorrow's Friday prayers.

On the other hand, Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz said in a statement that statements made by one of his daughters over the throne transfer is a personal opinion and does not represent his personal views nor position. Princesses Sarah, daughter of Prince Talal said on Tuesday that her father has the right to have accession to the throne, the same as the other brothers of the late King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, demanding giving him the chance to be in the circle of decision making.

Prince Talal had commended in a statement on Tuesday the flexibility and calmness in the process of authority transfer to King Abdullah and his crown prince Sultan, stressing that this is a clear indication on the stability taken place in the pingdom.

Prince Talal ( 70 years old) presides over the Arab Gulf general program in support of UN developmental organizations.

Previous Stories:
  New Saudi king promises justice   (8/4/2005)
  Saudi pledges of support to King Abdullah after Fahd's funeral   (8/3/2005)
  Abdullah is Saudi Arabia's new king   (8/2/2005)
  Washington freezes assets of the opposition Saudi movement for reforms   (7/15/2005)
  Libya accuses Saudi Arabia of organizing opposition conference in London   (7/2/2005)
  On the three Saudi reformers imprisonment   (6/22/2005)

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