New Saudi king rejected

2005-08-03 14:45

Dubai - The London-based Saudi opposition Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (Mira) rejected on Wednesday the new King Abdullah and called for the release of all political prisoners in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom.

Mira president Saad al-Faqih said: "The movement and its followers do not recognise the allegiance" to King Abdullah, who was anointed monarch on the death of his half-brother on Monday.

"The regime has no religious legitimacy."

Faqih said: "The movement is determined to pursue its fight through peaceful means."

Faqih called on the group's followers to "express their rejection of the pledge of allegiance during weekly Friday prayers".

Faqih also called on King Abdullah to "free political detainees and allow freedom of expression and gathering as well as the independence of the judiciary".

Mira, an opposition group inspired by the same Wahhabist strict doctrine of Islam that reigns the kingdom, had criticised the Saudi regime for "corruption and anti-democratic methods".

- AFP