Prince Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the only surviving full brother of Saudi Arabia's King Salman, has been detained, according to several reports, in what is widely believed to be an attempt by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to consolidate power within the royal family.
Prince Ahmed was detained on Friday as part of a security clampdown that also included the detention of Mohamed bin Nayef, the king's nephew and former interior minister and crown prince, several US publications reported.
Both senior royals were seen as possible alternatives to MBS, the kingdom's de facto ruler in succeeding 84-year-old King Salman.
According to the Wall Street Journal newspaper, Prince Ahmed and Mohammed bin Nayef were accused of plotting a coup to unseat the king and his son, MBS.
By Saturday, reports points that the sweep had broadened to include dozens of interior ministry officials, senior army officers and others suspected of supporting a coup attempt.
There has been no official comment from Saudi authorities on the arrests. (Al Jazeera website)
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