King Abdullah Receives Oaths of Loyalty

[bemildred]

Puff piece, but what the heck?

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Hundreds of tribal chiefs, Islamic clerics, princes and commoners pledged loyalty Wednesday to Saudi Arabia's new King Abdullah, vowing to "hear and obey" in a traditional Islamic ceremony that seals his status as monarch after a decade as de facto ruler.

Abdullah's investiture strengthens his hand to push forward with what have been the hallmarks of his unofficial rule — limited steps toward reform and a crackdown on Islamic extremism and militants linked to al-Qaida.

"I promise God and you that I will adopt the Quran as the constitution and Islam as the course, and that all my concerns will be to establish righteousness and justice," Abdullah said in his first address to the nation as king. "I appeal to you to support me and help me carry this trust and don't hesitate to advise me."

Western dignitaries flowed through a Riyadh palace to congratulate the 81-year-old Abdullah and express condolences for the death of his predecessor and half brother, King Fahd. Abdullah, in white robes and a cream-colored cloak, sat with Britain's Prince Charles and Prime Minister Tony Blair as well as the king of Sweden and other European heads of state. One key meeting will be with Vice President Dick Cheney.

Yahoo

[Greeby]

1. Hmm

How long ago did Bush pledge loyalty? ;)

[Ksec]

7. exactly

while invading a country that had nothing to do with 911

[Dover]

2. Ohhhhh.....and Cheney must have been envious and decided to do same

and get oaths of loyalty at fundraisers, and political campaign talks.

[CatholicEdHead]

3. Well, he is a King

-> How do you know?
-> He's not covered in ****

/Monty Python and the Holy Grail
http://www.mwscomp.com/movies/grail/grail-02.htm

[bemildred]

4. The Fall of the House of Saud

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x144594

[54anickel]

5. Thanks bemildred. I remember reading that when it first came out.

Looking forward to reviewing it again later this evening.

[bemildred]

6. Spooky, it is. nt

[wli]

8. doubtless Cheney and Bush likewise took the oath

No big surprises.

[Inland]

10. I doubt it: their loyalty goes without saying. nt

[wallwriter]

9. Will they get free admission to the Bush/Cheney rallies?