Ras Al Khaimah 'succession struggle'

More news from Ras Al Khaimah...

"RAS AL-KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates — In tiny but strategic Ras al-Khaimah, the aged emir's failing health is spotlighting a succession struggle between the crown prince and his deposed half brother.

Sheikh Khaled bin Saqr al-Qassimi was crown prince until 2003 and has launched a campaign to regain his position. He accuses current Crown Prince Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qassimi of turning the emirate into a "rogue state" that Iran uses to circumvent UN sanctions.

The emirate, which has been governed by now 92-year-old Shiekh Saqr bin Mohammed al-Qassimi since 1948, is located on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which some 40 percent of the world's oil is shipped.

Sheikh Saqr's health "condition is critical, which poses a real problem of succession" for Ras al-Khaima, a source close to the royal family told AFP.

"Sheikh Khaled considers himself the legitimate heir and deputy ruler, saying he has in hand a 2004 decree by his father returning him to his position, a year after Sheikh Saud replaced him," the source said."

Read more here: Deposed prince vies to succeed ailing emir in northern UAE (AFP)

Poster boy no more...

This just in - and it sounds mighty interesting:

"Nasser Al Sheikh has been deposed from all his positions - even as assistant director general of Dubai Ruler's Court for Foreign Affairs - the Media Office of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced."

The link to it can be found here.

That's all that's being said now, but the big guy of Amlak not only getting the pink slip from the mortgage house, but losing all his titles? Wow, he must have really pissed off some big people.

Let's see what happens next...

R.I.P. - Sheikh Ahmed bin Juma Al Maktoum

Here's the news in Arabic:WAM

And in English: Emirates Business 24/7