RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States have turned tense over the next generation of Saudi leaders, Middle East Newsline said Wednesday.
Unidentified Saudi opposition sources said Riyadh had demanded the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador Robert Jordan and has declared the envoy unwanted in the kingdom. The sources said Jordan angered many members of the kingdom's leadership by stating U.S. preferences for royal succession.
The Washington-based Saudi Information Agency reported Jordan was asked to leave the kingdom soon after he discussed the prospect of Saudi succession.
The ambassador discussed the issue at two dinner receptions in the spring of 2003 attended by senior Saudi officials.
At one reception, the Saudi opposition agency said, Jordan said the United States has decided to support Crown Prince Abdullah bin Aziz as the next Saudi monarch.
