Prince Nayef, who has been interior minister for more than 40 years, was appointed second deputy prime minister two years ago, a post which made him second-in-line to the throne currently occupied by King Abdullah. The two men's brother, Crown Prince Sultan, died on Saturday, leaving Prince Nayef almost certain to step into the role.
Prince Nayef has been on record opposing such liberal reforms as allowing women to vote, and has also overseen a tough crackdown on opposition in the wake of this year's Arab Spring.
Mohammed al-Qahtani, head of the Association for Civil and Political Rights in Saudi Arabia, said the royal family should promote someone who could continue the push for reform.
"It is guaranteed Prince Nayef does not have that quality," he told The Daily Telegraph. "If they come up with a hardliner they are going to lose out. Resentment is building in society and a time will come where it will break loose." » | Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Sunday, October 23, 2011
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