Saudi legitimacy stems from sectarianism: Analyst

Press TV has conducted an interview with author and analyst Nasser al-Omari to get his views on Saudi Arabia's role in the recent escalation of regional tension.

What follows is a transcript of the interview:

Press TV: How do you see the Iranian Foreign Minister [Mohamad Javad Zarif]'s comments relating to Saudi Arabia that basically they are just trying to cause problems in the region, especially, for Iran and the ultimate goal actually is to make sure there are problems with the upcoming Syrian peace talks?

Al-Omari: Yes, because for the Saudis the ability for the region will mean that their own people, the Saudis, will look inwards. They don’t want the Saudis to look inwards. They need Iran as an enemy so that they can always point to Iran for a lack of reform, for the repression, for the murder of people like Sheikh Nimr.

So, it is in the interest of this repressive regime to make sure there is an enemy out there and the Syrian situation provides that fuel for sectarianism for accusing Iran of anything that goes wrong in Saudi Arabia or the region.

Press TV: You just said that they [Saudi Arabia] want to make sure that there is an enemy out there. Do you think that they are taking a page from the book the Americans follow? Because if we look at recent history, we look at… before it was the Cold War, dealing with the communists, America verses the communists, and then after there another enemy that needed to be put in place which became Islam or the Muslims and now once again we see Russia getting back into that enemy role. Is that the same game that the US plays that Saudi Arabia is playing now with Iran?

Al-Omari: Only worse, because they have constituents within Saudi Arabia, about three million Shias, who as we saw last week are not considered citizens. There is no dual process. There is no recognition of their aspirations and their leadership is put to death when they speak up, demanding their rights as Saudi citizens.

So, Saudi Arabia more than any time in its history needs to point to Iran and I hope that they are not going to be given that opportunity because with internal pressure building inside Saudi Arabia, I believe that the hour of reckoning is approaching for this repressive regime.

Press TV: Are we looking at an implosion from inside of the Saudi regime you believe? Is it coming from the, basically, the clashing within the royal family within itself or do you think that we are looking at other parts of the society who are frustrated with the level of repression and lack of rights?

Al-Omari: Well, it is a combination of things. There are basically two individuals vying, two princes vying for the top position, Mohammed bin Nayef and Mohammed bin Salman. Both of them are now vying for that position. There is also the question of a huge segment of the Saudi society in addition to the oppressive tactics against anybody who speaks up against the royal family.

So basically, we are talking about a regime that does not have the legitimacy. Its only legitimacy stems from sectarianism and scaring people from the imminent threat of Iran, an imminent threat from the Houthis. But I believe that the Saudis have started to see through this smoke screen. And I believe that change is coming to Saudi Arabia.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk