Arab Secrets: Saudi princes "upset" over Kingdom's support for Egypt coup

Sources allegedly “close” to the Saudi royal family have claimed that a number of princes in the kingdom are “upset” at the government’s support for the coup in Egypt. According to the Asrar Arabeya – “Arab Secrets” – website, the sources in Saudi Arabia have said that Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz has been critical of the kingdom’s position and financial support for the coup.

The princes, claims the website, believe that the Saudi government’s support has not only made a huge dent in the treasury but also caused serious damage to the kingdom’s reputation internationally. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan have given overt support to Egypt’s military coup which ousted President Mohamed Morsi in July.

It is alleged that the Crown Prince was surprised by the role of the Head of National Intelligence, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, and the Head of the Royal Court, Khaled Altwaijri, in the coup’s planning. It is claimed that the two men put a lot of pressure on aging King Abdullah to support the move against Morsi by General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who led the coup. Government leaks suggest that the massacres of protesters in Rabaa Al-Adawiyya and Al-Nahda Squares by security forces were carried out under the direct orders and supervision of Bandar bin Sultan.

Prince Khalid bin Talal Al-Saud is reported to have pointed out that if it is permissible to overthrow Morsi in this way, “it may also be possible [to do the same] in any other country”, a clear hint that the Saudi king could face a similar fate.

The same Saudi sources claim that the kingdom’s ambassador in London, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, has expressed his own “extreme annoyance” at the coup, saying that he has been embarrassed by his country’s support for the overthrow of an elected president.

Source: As-Sabeel