ABU DHABI Ñ The United Arab Emirates has deployed military forces to one of its seven emirates after a power struggle led to violence.
Abu Dhabi sent troops, tanks and armored personnel carriers to the
emirate of Ras Al Kheima over the weekend. Officials said the military force
was deployed after the emir of Ras Al Kheima deposed his elder son as heir
to the throne.
Instead, Saqer Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi chose his younger son, Saud, 47,
as crown prince.
Ras Al Kheima is one of the poorest of the emirates, Middle East Newsline reported.
The power struggle has prompted unrest in the emirate as hundreds of
supporters of Khaled, the deposed crown prince, tried to storm the emir's
palace. Military and police units repelled the demonstrators and at one
point, gunfire was heard near the palace.
Officials said Saqer then requested a military force from Abu Dhabi.
Khaled, 63, had been crown prince since 1962.
UAE sources said Saqer was unhappy with the administration of the
emirate by Khaled. Khaled's influence in the UAE has declined over the last
decade. Officials said Khaled, under orders from his father, has left for exile in
Oman.
The Ras Al Kheima emirate is the fourth largest emirate in the UAE. It
is also regarded as a key naval center. Abu Dhabi is the most influential of
the emirates.
