DUBAI, 17 June 2003 — The ousted crown prince of Ras Al-Khaimah, part of the United Arab Emirates, vowed yesterday to fight for as long as he lives to overturn his father’s decision to replace him with a younger half-brother. “I will continue to oppose this decision for as long as I live,” using peaceful means, Sheikh Khaled ibn Saqr Al-Qassimi, 63, who was demoted on Saturday after more than four decades in the job, told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, a sister publication of Arab News.
Federal UAE troops and armored vehicles were deployed around the palaces of ruler Sheikh Saqr ibn Mohammed Al-Qassimi and the new crown prince, Sheikh Saud ibn Saqr Al-Qassimi, who was appointed by decree on Saturday. Sheikh Khaled described his removal “illegal” and told the daily he was in contact with leaders of the Gulf monarchies to intervene. Khaled said that part of the emirate’s ruling family, “some brothers and some cousins” remained loyal to him. He did not rule out that differences between his wife Sheikha Fawakhi and one of his father’s wives, Sheikha Muhra bint Ahmed, may have been behind his troubles. “I was surprised to be asked to take my family from the emirate, but I did it all the same only to learn the same day of the decision to remove me,” Khaled told the newspaper.
He said he would use “peaceful” means to be restored to his post. No official reason was given for the appointment of the younger brother who is 48, but Emirati newspapers yesterday splashed front-page pictures of Saqr and the new crown prince receiving well-wishers.
