JEDDAH – A senior Saudi prince said in comments published on Sunday that loyal Saudis had foiled plans by “evil people” to stage protests. Web activists had slated March 11 as the first day for mass protests around the country in favour of democratic government and a constitutional rather than absolute monarchy.
But a religious ruling banning demonstrations in the world’s biggest oil exporter, and a heavy police crackdown in key cities, appeared to intimidate most who are interested in demanding more political rights. “I congratulate King Abdullah and his crown prince Sultan for having these kind and loyal subjects,” Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, the king’s half-brother, said in remarks published on the official news agency overnight.
“Some evil people wanted to spread chaos in the kingdom yesterday and called for demonstrations that have dishonourable goals,” said the veteran security chief, whose ministry warned last week that protests were un-Islamic and illegal.
