Introduction to the evening news 17-06-2012

For the last two days, the world has been busy with two names: Who will succeed President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt? And who will succeed Prince Nayef in Saudi Arabia?

In Egypt, the military council and the Muslim Brotherhood are engaged in an open confrontation regardless the president’s identity. If the military council’s candidate Ahmad Shafiq wins, “the old guard” will continue ruling in Egypt even if the ruling is carried out through new representatives. However, if Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate Mohammad Morsy wins, he will be tied with the military council amid the absence of the lower house of parliament that was dissolved last week.

Egypt’s dilemma is not easier than that of the Saudi Arabia which has to choose 3 names for three vacant positions formerly occupied by Prince Nayef: crown prince, deputy prime minister, and interior minister. The name for the first position will remain undisclosed until the Allegiance Commission convenes following the mourning period. Prince Salman is expected to be appointed crown prince. As for the position of the minister of interior, it will likely be occupied by Prince Ahmad Ben Abd al-Aziz provided that Prince Mohammad Ben Nayef, the deceased prince’s son, will act as his deputy.