ISLAMABAD – Saudi Arabia has finally broken silence over the mysteriousdisappearnce of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
His apparent public disappearance for three weeks since alleged coupattempt stirred controversy with some international media outletsspeculating that the Saudi royal might have been killed.
It was reported that Mohammad bin Salman was allegedly hit by two bulletsduring the April 21 attack on the royal palace in Riyadh and may actuallybe dead, royal family sources quashed all such reports.
The credible sources confirmed that the 32-year-old crown prince of SaudiArabia was safe and spending holidays in Egypt with his family on specialinvitation from Egyptian President Fattah el-Sisi.
They added that leaders of Abu Dhabi and Bahrain are also present with MBSin Egypt.
Taking benefit from his public disappearance, Iranian and Russian media hadstarted reporting that the crown prince died during the April attack on theroyal palace.
Iranian newspaper Kayhan reported that Mohammed bin Salman allegedlyreceived bullet injuries during the attack and may actually be dead.
The leading daily cited “a secret service report sent to the seniorofficials of an unnamed Arab state” to bolster its claims about the statusof the most powerful Saudi man.
Additionally, to give credence to its sensational disclosure, the papersaid that Bin Salman was not even seen on camera when new US Secretary ofState Mike Pompeo paid his maiden visit to Riyadh in late April, thoughSaudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeirwere photographed.
Besides the Tehran-based papers, some Russian media outlets also alluded tothe possible ‘killing’ of Mohammed bin Salman, however, the reports havenow been proven unfounded and baseless.
Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, who recently reachedPakistan after winding up his tour to Saudi Arab, he confirmed that thecrown prince was safe and sound.
Ashrafi said that MBS attended two cabinet meetings after April 21 andperformed multiple state responsibilities.
“I have been in Saudi Arabi on a private tour and met various personalitiesof the royal family,” he said, adding, “everything is normal in thekingdom”. Enemies who are spreading fake reports about Saudi Arabia willfind nothing.
“Those who are conspiring against Saudi Arabia will not be succeeded intheir nefarious designs,” he said.
Ashrafi said that the Kingdom did not give importance to the fake reports;therefore, no any clarification was issued from Sauid Arabia.
He also shared a recent picture of Mohammed bin Salman in which thepowerful royal man can be seen busy in conversation with his friends.