DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Saudi Arabia's young Crown Prince Mohammed bin

Salman has taken his riskiest gamble yet with the stunning arrests of top princes,
military officers, government officials and influential businessmen in the kingdom.

The sweep, which the government says is aimed at eliminating corruption, also
appears to be aimed at stamping out potential rivals or critics of Prince Mohammed,
popularly known as "MBS" and the son of King Salman.

Related Searches
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin SalmanCrown Prince SalmanSaudi Crown PrincePrince
MohammedSaudi Arabia Prince
The move is raising concerns over increasing totalitarianism along with disarray
and resentment from within a royal family whose unity has been the bedrock of the
kingdom.

Most stunning in the arrests of 11 princes and 38 officials and businessmen are the
detentions of two sons of the late King Abdullah. Until Saturday, Prince Miteb bin
Abdullah had headed the powerful National Guard; Prince Turki bin Abdullah was once
governor of the capital, Riyadh.

The two both cousins of the crown prince were considered the favorites of King
Abdullah, who ruled until his death in January 2015, when his half brother King
Salman was crowned monarch.

Prince Miteb's role as head of the National Guard for the past four years was
symbolic and strategic, a historic pillar of how power had been distributed in the
House of Saud.

As the throne passed from brother to brother, security posts were passed from
father to son. The system was meant to disburse the levers of power among the
various branches of the ruling family, although ultimate decision-making rests with
the king.

King Salman had once been iDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Saudi Arabia's young
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken his riskiest gamble yet with the
stunning arrests of top princes, military officers, government officials and
influential businessmen in the kingdom.

The sweep, which the government says is aimed at eliminating corruption, also
appears to be aimed at stamping out potential rivals or critics of Prince Mohammed,
popularly known as "MBS" and the son of King Salman.

Related Searches
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin SalmanCrown Prince SalmanSaudi Crown PrincePrince
MohammedSaudi Arabia Prince
The move is raising concerns over increasing totalitarianism along with disarray
and resentment from within a royal family whose unity has been the bedrock of the
kingdom.

Most stunning in the arrests of 11 princes and 38 officials and businessmen are the
detentions of two sons of the late King Abdullah. Until Saturday, Prince Miteb bin
Abdullah had headed the powerful National Guard; Prince Turki bin Abdullah was once
governor of the capital, Riyadh.

The two both cousins of the crown prince were considered the favorites of King
Abdullah, who ruled until his death in January 2015, when his half brother King
Salman was crowned monarch.

Prince Miteb's role as head of the National Guard for the past four years was
symbolic and strategic, a historic pillar of how power had been distributed in the
House of Saud.

As the throne passed from brother to brother, security posts were passed from
father to son. The system was meant to disburse the levers of power among the
various branches of the ruling family, although ultimate decision-making rests with
the king.

King Salman had once been in charge of the defense ministry but gave that portfolio
to MBS. The king's brother, Prince Nayef, was interior minister overseeing domestic
security, but his son, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, later assumed control of the
ministry.

Similarly, Prince Miteb followed in his father's footsteps. King Abdullah had been
head of the National Guard, transforming it into a powerful force that protects the
ruling family and key border posts, as well as Islam's holiest sites. The guard
also keeps Saudi Arabia's many tribes in lockstep through an ancient system of
patronage.

On Saturday, the rules were radically changed.

Prince Miteb was removed as head of the guard and allegedly detained. Months
earlier, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was ousted from the line of succession and from
his post as interior minister, making way for MBS to become crown prince.

The two princes were MBS' most formidable challengers to the throne. All three are
grandsons of the country's founder, King Abdulaziz, and each represented a
different wing of the House of Saud.

By sidelining them, MBS consolidated power over all aspects of the kingdom's
security and economy.n charge of the defense ministry but gave that portfolio to
MBS. The king's brother, Prince Nayef, was interior minister overseeing domestic
security, but his son, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, later assumed control of the
ministry.

Similarly, Prince Miteb followed in his father's footsteps. King Abdullah had been
head of the National Guard, transforming it into a powerful force that protects the
ruling family and key border posts, as well as Islam's holiest sites. The guard
also keeps Saudi Arabia's many tribes in lockstep through an ancient system of
patronage.

On Saturday, the rules were radically changed.

Prince Miteb was removed as head of the guard and allegedly detained. Months
earlier, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was ousted from the line of succession and from
his post as interior minister, making way for MBS to become crown prince.

The two princes were MBS' most formidable challengers to the throne. All three are
grandsons of the country's founder, King Abdulaziz, and each represented a
different wing of the House of Saud.

By sidelining them, MBS consolidated power over all aspects of the kingdom's
security and economy.DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Saudi Arabia's young Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken his riskiest gamble yet with the stunning
arrests of top princes, military officers, government officials and influential
businessmen in the kingdom.

The sweep, which the government says is aimed at eliminating corruption, also
appears to be aimed at stamping out potential rivals or critics of Prince Mohammed,
popularly known as "MBS" and the son of King Salman.

Related Searches
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin SalmanCrown Prince SalmanSaudi Crown PrincePrince
MohammedSaudi Arabia Prince
The move is raising concerns over increasing totalitarianism along with disarray
and resentment from within a royal family whose unity has been the bedrock of the
kingdom.

Most stunning in the arrests of 11 princes and 38 officials and businessmen are the
detentions of two sons of the late King Abdullah. Until Saturday, Prince Miteb bin
Abdullah had headed the powerful National Guard; Prince Turki bin Abdullah was once
governor of the capital, Riyadh.

The two both cousins of the crown prince were considered the favorites of King
Abdullah, who ruled until his death in January 2015, when his half brother King
Salman was crowned monarch.

Prince Miteb's role as head of the National Guard for the past four years was
symbolic and strategic, a historic pillar of how power had been distributed in the
House of Saud.

As the throne passed from brother to brother, security posts were passed from
father to son. The system was meant to disburse the levers of power among the
various branches of the ruling family, although ultimate decision-making rests with
the king.

King Salman had once been in charge of the defense ministry but gave that portfolio
to MBS. The king's brother, Prince Nayef, was interior minister overseeing domestic
security, but his son, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, later assumed control of the
ministry.

Similarly, Prince Miteb followed in his father's footsteps. King Abdullah had been
head of the National Guard, transforming it into a powerful force that protects the
ruling family and key border posts, as well as Islam's holiest sites. The guard
also keeps Saudi Arabia's many tribes in lockstep through an ancient system of
patronage.

On Saturday, the rules were radically changed.

Prince Miteb was removed as head of the guard and allegedly detained. Months
earlier, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was ousted from the line of succession and from
his post as interior minister, making way for MBS to become crown prince.

The two princes were MBS' most formidable challengers to the throne. All three are
grandsons of the country's founder, King Abdulaziz, and each represented a
different wing of the House of Saud.

By sidelining them, MBS consolidated power over all aspects of the kingdom's
security and economy.DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Saudi Arabia's young Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken his riskiest gamble yet with the stunning
arrests of top princes, military officers, government officials and influential
businessmen in the kingdom.

The sweep, which the government says is aimed at eliminating corruption, also
appears to be aimed at stamping out potential rivals or critics of Prince Mohammed,
popularly known as "MBS" and the son of King Salman.

Related Searches
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin SalmanCrown Prince SalmanSaudi Crown PrincePrince
MohammedSaudi Arabia Prince
The move is raising concerns over increasing totalitarianism along with disarray
and resentment from within a royal family whose unity has been the bedrock of the
kingdom.

Most stunning in the arrests of 11 princes and 38 officials and businessmen are the
detentions of two sons of the late King Abdullah. Until Saturday, Prince Miteb bin
Abdullah had headed the powerful National Guard; Prince Turki bin Abdullah was once
governor of the capital, Riyadh.

The two both cousins of the crown prince were considered the favorites of King
Abdullah, who ruled until his death in January 2015, when his half brother King
Salman was crowned monarch.

Prince Miteb's role as head of the National Guard for the past four years was
symbolic and strategic, a historic pillar of how power had been distributed in the
House of Saud.

As the throne passed from brother to brother, security posts were passed from
father to son. The system was meant to disburse the levers of power among the
various branches of the ruling family, although ultimate decision-making rests with
the king.

King Salman had once been in charge of the defense ministry but gave that portfolio
to MBS. The king's brother, Prince Nayef, was interior minister overseeing domestic
security, but his son, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, later assumed control of the
ministry.

Similarly, Prince Miteb followed in his father's footsteps. King Abdullah had been
head of the National Guard, transforming it into a powerful force that protects the
ruling family and key border posts, as well as Islam's holiest sites. The guard
also keeps Saudi Arabia's many tribes in lockstep through an ancient system of
patronage.

On Saturday, the rules were radically changed.

Prince Miteb was removed as head of the guard and allegedly detained. Months
earlier, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was ousted from the line of succession and from
his post as interior minister, making way for MBS to become crown prince.

The two princes were MBS' most formidable challengers to the throne. All three are
grandsons of the country's founder, King Abdulaziz, and each represented a
different wing of the House of Saud.

By sidelining them, MBS consolidated power over all aspects of the kingdom's
security and economy.DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Saudi Arabia's young Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken his riskiest gamble yet with the stunning
arrests of top princes, military officers, government officials and influential
businessmen in the kingdom.

The sweep, which the government says is aimed at eliminating corruption, also
appears to be aimed at stamping out potential rivals or critics of Prince Mohammed,
popularly known as "MBS" and the son of King Salman.

Related Searches
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin SalmanCrown Prince SalmanSaudi Crown PrincePrince
MohammedSaudi Arabia Prince
The move is raising concerns over increasing totalitarianism along with disarray
and resentment from within a royal family whose unity has been the bedrock of the
kingdom.

Most stunning in the arrests of 11 princes and 38 officials and businessmen are the
detentions of two sons of the late King Abdullah. Until Saturday, Prince Miteb bin
Abdullah had headed the powerful National Guard; Prince Turki bin Abdullah was once
governor of the capital, Riyadh.

The two both cousins of the crown prince were considered the favorites of King
Abdullah, who ruled until his death in January 2015, when his half brother King
Salman was crowned monarch.

Prince Miteb's role as head of the National Guard for the past four years was
symbolic and strategic, a historic pillar of how power had been distributed in the
House of Saud.

As the throne passed from brother to brother, security posts were passed from
father to son. The system was meant to disburse the levers of power among the
various branches of the ruling family, although ultimate decision-making rests with
the king.

King Salman had once been in charge of the defense ministry but gave that portfolio
to MBS. The king's brother, Prince Nayef, was interior minister overseeing domestic
security, but his son, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, later assumed control of the
ministry.

Similarly, Prince Miteb followed in his father's footsteps. King Abdullah had been
head of the National Guard, transforming it into a powerful force that protects the
ruling family and key border posts, as well as Islam's holiest sites. The guard
also keeps Saudi Arabia's many tribes in lockstep through an ancient system of
patronage.

On Saturday, the rules were radically changed.

Prince Miteb was removed as head of the guard and allegedly detained. Months
earlier, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was ousted from the line of succession and from
his post as interior minister, making way for MBS to become crown prince.

The two princes were MBS' most formidable challengers to the throne. All three are
grandsons of the country's founder, King Abdulaziz, and each represented a
different wing of the House of Saud.

By sidelining them, MBS consolidated power over all aspects of the kingdom's
security and economy.