King Hussein's Favoured Son Loses Claim to Jordan's Throne (New WMW)

[Gloria]

New WMW up tomorrow at Buzzflash.com
My FTP thing is messed up...not up tonight at my site....


5//The Independent, UK 29 November 2004
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=587762

KING HUSSEIN’S FAVOURED SON LOSES CLAIM TO JORDAN’S THRONE
By Danielle Demetriou
The King of Jordan announced an abrupt change to his succession plans yesterday, stripping his half-brother, Hamza bin Hussein, of the title crown prince.

King Abdullah II broke the news in an unscheduled televised message to Hamza, saying that the move would "allow you to have more freedom of movement".

(SNIP)
Hamza, who bears a striking resemblance to his late father, has been an undergraduate student in political science at an American university for the past three years.

Last year, he married Princess Noor, 22, who attends the same university, which cannot be named for security reasons. While he has delivered speeches in the past urging reform in Muslim thinking and criticising Islamic extremism, his position as crown prince involved no political duties.

Instead, as part of his duties, Hamza represented the king at events both at home and abroad. Hamza also oversaw a number of prestigious national institutions, including a prominent think-tank.

A senior aide to the King insisted yesterday that there were no political ramifications in the move."It should not be read in any way other than in the constitutional, brotherly and positive sense," said the official.

[Nikepallas]

1. Sounds like something BIG will be happening in Jordan soon

[edbermac]

3. Oh yeah, and I wouldn't want to be in that neighborhood when it does...

:nuke:

[IndianaGreen]

2. Looks like King Abdullah prefers his own son to succeed him

Queen Rania, the Palestinian:

The new King Abdullah married Queen Rania that same year. And the following year they had a baby boy who was named after King Abdullah’s Father King Hussein and in 1996 they had a baby girl who was named after King Abdullah’s half sister Princess Iman.

http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/Royaltyandstuff2/Rania.html

[Catch22Dem]

5. Makes sense, really.

Seems that would be the natural progression. If the King has a son, the son is the new heir.

[Nikepallas]

7. Yes, but if I remember correctly the child is still VERY young and

I thought they always had an adult male as a Crown Prince

[420inTN]

9. Probably why he hasn't yet named his son as Crown Prince. n/t

[sushi]

12. Yes, he is only ten

It comes as no surprise. Of course Abdullah wants his son to succeed him. Before he died. King Hussein also removed his brother (Hassan) and chose Abdullah to succeed him.

[Sannum]

4. Hmmmm

I have heard rumors of rivalries between Rania, Noor and Muna, but this is going to be very interesting as it unravels. I have studied the Royal Family and this was a shock to wake up to.

[sushi]

13. Well, right now it's Muna's son

who is the boss. We'll see what happens. Jordan is in a problem area of the world, and on al-qaeda's list of pro-west countries!

[Sannum]

14. Yes,

One of the rumors is that Muna and Rania have been plotting against Noor and her children in order to get Hamzah out of the succession. If Hamzah had not been so young at the time of King Hussein's death, he most certanly would have been appointed King as he was Hussein's favorite. I find this dynasty fascinating.

[sushi]

17. Maybe they ALL plotted!

It was King Hussein's decision. Abdullah won. Maybe the fact that Rania is Palestinian also helped Abdullah.

I find all Middle East monarchies interesting. And the exiled Iranian royal family! There's also Thailand and Brunei. Compared to these the European monarchies are boring.

[sushi]

20. Oops, I misread your post

ignore my post (#17).

You were talking about Hamzah, not Abdullah.

It's quite possible that they plotted, but I think it's right that the oldest succeeds to the throne. And now that Abdullah has a son, he gets to be next in line. It's also natural that Noor has less influence now that King Hussein is gone.

[Catch22Dem]

6. I just want to say, Jordan is a beautiful country

When I was there, the people were so welcoming. I love meeting people when I travel, and the Jordanians impressed me tremendously. I also want to ask, is Queen Rania not one of the most beautiful women you've even seen? Ok, so I'm a pig.

[Sara Beverley]

8. So was Lebanon...so was Iraq...so was Viet Nam once all beautiful

We know the rest of the story.

[morcatknits]

11. Curious

It would be a very bad thing if Jordan were de-stabilized, politically. I hope this doesn't mean something more than family rivalry.
morcatknits

[TahitiNut]

10. (oink!)

[Catch22Dem]

19. So you see what I'm saying

The woman is gorgeous!

[Eurobabe]

16. she is ravishing, he's so short! who woulda thunk?

[sushi]

18. Just like his father

and Noor.

[KitSileya]

15. Must admit that I'm biased here,

I like King Abdullah - He's a trekkie - even had a cameo on a Star Trek Voyager episode.... LOL I guess we do find people with the same interests as ourselves more interesting and appealing.