By Ben Hubbard, Eric Schmitt and Mark Mazzetti
Beirut: The recently deposed crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Nayef, has been barred from leaving the kingdom and confined to his palace in the coastal city of Jeddah, according to current and former US officials and Saudis close to the royal family.
The new restrictions on the man who until last week was next in line to the throne and ran the kingdom's powerful internal security services sought to ensure a smooth transition for the new crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, 31, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
It was unclear how long the restrictions would remain in place.
A Saudi official on Thursday denied the report completely. "It's not true, 100 per cent," the official told Reuters, responding to a question on the New York Times report, without giving any further details.
A billboard showing King Salman, centre, his son Mohammed bin Salman, right, and former heir Mohammed bin Nayef in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Credit: AP
The Saudi monarch, King Salman, shook up the line of succession last week with a string of royal decrees that promoted his favourite son, Mohammed bin Salman, to crown prince and removed Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, from the line of succession.
The elder prince was also replaced as interior minister by a 33-year-old nephew, marking the end of a storied career that had won him deep respect in Washington and other foreign capitals for his work dismantling al-Qaeda's networks inside the kingdom after a string of deadly bombings a decade ago, including an attempt on his own life.
Supporters of Mohammed bin Salman, often referred to as MBS, have lauded his promotion, saying it empowered a young, ambitious prince who has laid out a positive vision for the kingdom's future.
But his elevation effectively ended the political prospects of many older princes, some of whom consider him rash, power hungry and inexperienced. Mohammed bin Salman also serves as the kingdom's defence minister, putting him in charge of Saudi Arabia's costly military intervention against the Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen.
Jared Kushner talks with White House chief of staff Reince Priebus during US President Donald Trump's visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh in May.Credit: AP
Saudi state news media has gone out of its way to portray a smooth transition, repeatedly broadcasting a video showing Mohammed bin Salman deferentially kissing the hand of Mohammed bin Nayef, often referred to as MBN, who wishes him well.
But the restrictions placed on the elder prince suggest fear that some members of the sprawling royal family are upset with the change, and that public appearances by him could exacerbate such sentiments.
Qatar's ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, right, in Doha with Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the ruler of Kuwait. Credit: AP
"It's an indication that MBS does not want any opposition," a senior US official said. "He doesn't want any rearguard action within the family. He wants a straight elevation without any dissent - not that MBN was plotting anything anyway."
The official said the US government was in contact with the Saudi Interior Ministry, but that US officials had not had any formal contact with Mohammed bin Nayef and were monitoring the situation closely.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker tells reporters that he'll withhold approval of US weapons sales to several Middle Eastern allies until there is a clear path for settling the diplomatic crisis with Qatar. Credit: AP
"MBN has been such a great friend and partner of the US, we would not want to see him treated inelegantly or indecorously," the senior US official said.
Since Mohammed bin Nayef's removal from the line of succession, several veteran US counterterrorism and intelligence officials who had strong relationships with him have privately expressed outrage at his treatment. But they were wary of speaking publicly given the strong support for King Salman and his son from US President Donald Trump and other top aides, including Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law.
Newly appointed Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (left) kisses the hand of former heir Mohammed bin Nayef.Credit: AP
Mohammed bin Salman dined with Trump at the White House in March. That cleared the way for Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, the first foreign stop of his presidency, where he declared the Saudis key allies in combating terrorism and extremism.
The restrictions have also been imposed on Mohammed bin Nayef's daughters, according to a former US official who maintains ties to Saudi royals. A married daughter was told that her husband and their child could leave their home while she had to stay, the former official said.
One Saudi close to the royal family said the new restrictions had been imposed almost immediately after Mohammed bin Salman's promotion.
After the announcement was made, Mohammed bin Nayef returned to his palace to find that his trusted guards had been replaced by guards loyal to Mohammed bin Salman, according to the Saudi and a former US official. Since then, he has been prevented from leaving.
Mohammed bin Salman's elevation has been accompanied by that of a number of other young princes. One of his brothers, Khalid bin Salman, was recently named the ambassador to Washington. He is believed to be in his late 20s.
Mohammed bin Nayef was replaced as interior minister by a nephew, Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, who has no clear experience in law enforcement or intelligence matters. In a unique arrangement in a country traditionally guided by deference to elders, he is the son of Saud bin Nayef, the governor of the Eastern Province, effectively making the young prince his father's boss.
New York Times, Reuters