Riyadh, Oct 24 (ANI): The decision of making Saudi Arabian Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz's successor, could cause a popular backlash against the rulers of the world's biggest oil producer, a human rights activist has warned.
Prince Nayef, who has been interior minister for over 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.
Prince Nayef has been on record opposing various liberal reforms such as allowing women to vote, and has also overseen a tough crackdown on the opposition in the wake of this year's Arab Spring.
Mohammed al-Qahtani, the 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," The Telegraph quoted al-Qahtani, as saying.
"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," he added.
Saudi Arabia has responded harshly to any attempt to organise protests since the start of the Arab Spring.
Though it supported western intervention against Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, a long-time foe, the king was reported to be furious at the downfall of his allies Presidents Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali of Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. (ANI)
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