WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States has been
recalled as a power struggle in the kingdom intensifies.
Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Prince Turki Al Faisal has informed the
Bush administration that he was being recalled immediately, officials said.
On Wednesday, the Saudi-owned Al Hayat, regarded as the voice of the
royal family, reported that Turki requested the transfer, Middle East Newsline reported. Al Hayat, citing
"reliable sources," said Turki submitted "special reasons" for his request
to leave Washington.
The officials said Turki left Washington for London on Dec. 11 but would return
briefly in January to conclude personal business and help arrange for a
successor. He was expected to arrive in Riyad over the weekend.
"There's a feeling in the royal family that Turki is not serving the
king but his half-brother, Sultan," a Western diplomatic source said. "This
has angered the king."
Turki, who replaced Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, served 15 months as
ambassador in Washington. Until 2001, Turki served as the head of Saudi
intelligence and maintained close relations with the United States.
The outgoing Saudi ambassador is the brother of Foreign Minister Saud Al
Faisal, who has been in declining health. In a meeting with embassy staff,
Turki, 61, said he was leaving to spend more time with his family. The
embassy did not issue an announcement.
"All possibilities are open," Al Hayat quoted one of the sources as
saying.
But diplomatic sources said Turki has been one of several senior princes
stationed abroad recalled by King Abdullah. The sources said Abdullah
concluded that Turki was representing the interests of Crown Prince Sultan
Bin Abdul Aziz, a longtime rival and regarded as close to Washington.
"Turki wasn't the only one recalled back," a source said. "A group of
senior princes who were seen as too independent were ordered to come home."
