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UAE council backs new Ras Al Khaimah ruler
RAS AL KHAIMAH: Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi will succeed his father, who died yesterday, as Ras Al Khaimah ruler, despite a challenge for power from his half-brother.
Shaikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, 92, died earlier yesterday in the emirate, the official WAM news agency said.
The UAE's Federal Supreme Council "expressed its full support for Shaikh Saud as Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah".
Shaikh Saqr, who had been suffering from failing health, ruled the emirate on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, since 1948.
Shaikh Saud's elder brother, Shaikh Khaled, had proclaimed himself Amir in a video message posted on his website soon after his father's death.
The two brothers have been caught in a power tussle since 2003 when their father demoted Shaikh Khaled and appointed Shaikh Saud as Crown Prince.
No reasons for the change were made public.
Shaikh Khaled, who did not attend his father's funeral, has accused Shaikh Saud of turning the emirate into a "rogue state" that Iran uses to circumvent UN sanctions.
However, experts say Shaikh Khaled's bid for the throne would amount to little more than a "media campaign" unless he gets the consent of UAE leaders.
RAS AL KHAIMAH: Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi will succeed his father, who died yesterday, as Ras Al Khaimah ruler, despite a challenge for power from his half-brother.Shaikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, 92, died earlier yesterday in the emirate, the official WAM news agency said.
The UAE's Federal Supreme Council "expressed its full support for Shaikh Saud as Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah".
Shaikh Saqr, who had been suffering from failing health, ruled the emirate on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, since 1948.
Shaikh Saud's elder brother, Shaikh Khaled, had proclaimed himself Amir in a video message posted on his website soon after his father's death.
The two brothers have been caught in a power tussle since 2003 when their father demoted Shaikh Khaled and appointed Shaikh Saud as Crown Prince.
No reasons for the change were made public.
Shaikh Khaled, who did not attend his father's funeral, has accused Shaikh Saud of turning the emirate into a "rogue state" that Iran uses to circumvent UN sanctions.
However, experts say Shaikh Khaled's bid for the throne would amount to little more than a "media campaign" unless he gets the consent of UAE leaders.