Sourced : Defence One
By Krishnadev Calamur
The arrest of 11 senior figures, including one of the world’s richest men, is a sign of the crown prince’s consolidation of power.
Details are still emerging about why, exactly, 11 of Saudi Arabia’s richest and most influential businessmen and politicians are being held at the Ritz Carlton and other five-star hotels across Riyadh.
But one thing is clear: Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s purge Saturday of high-ranking leaders in the kingdom is yet another sign of the crown prince’s consolidation of power since he ascended to the position this summer.*
Among those detained by the crown prince’s anti-corruption committee over the weekend were Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the billionaire investor, and at least 10 other prominent figures.
Separately, King Salman replaced the minister of the Saudi national guard, who controlled the branches of the military that weren’t yet under the crown prince’s control. Saturday’s move was announced on Al Arabiya, the Saudi-owned Arabic-language broadcaster, as part of an anti-corruption investigation.
But the move comes just months after Crown Prince Mohammed is believed to have orchestrated the ouster of Prince Mohammed bin Nayef as interior minister. Mohammed bin Nayef had served as crown prince until Prince Mohammed’s elevation in June.
Image Sourced : News.com.au
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