WASHINGTON, March 3 (UPI) -- A U.S. government source said President George Bush has rebuffed a Saudi request he become involved in Saudi Arabia's succession.
The request came from an envoy close to Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the source told Middle East Newsline.
The Saudis reportedly wanted Bush to invite the defense minister; his chief rival, Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz; and Prince Salman to the United States for a meeting on relations between the two countries.
However, the real purpose of the meeting was to have Bush appeal to the Saudi leadership to cooperate and draft a succession plan for the aging leadership to avoid what some expect to be "a bloody succession battle."
Prince Sultan initiated the effort to resume his ties with Washington and win U.S. favor for one of his grandchildren to be chosen for the throne, the source said.
