UAE: Mistrust simmers among RAK ruler, his brother and associates

Conflict continues within the Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK) ruling family, whose latest visible fissure reflects the mistrust between Ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi and his younger brother Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi. Born to the same mother as Saud Bin Saqr, Mahra Bbint Ahmed Bin Majid Al-Ghurair, Faisal was once among the most prominent members of the emirate’s royal family – serving as chairman of Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries and RAK Free Trade Zone Authority (RAKFTZA) – but he has fallen from favour and has been involved in litigation in the United States and London, which the ruler and his advisers have been following with great attention for some time.