THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING

Crown Prince Abdullah has taken over the Saudi government from an ailing King Fahd, who suffered what is believed to have been a stroke last month. "He's basically becoming acting king," says Middle East correspondent Scott MacLeod. "It's clear that Fahd is not abdicating. The moral power of the kingdom still resides in him, and he in theory could take back power when he recovers. But with this move, he has confirmed Abdullah as his successor." Abdullah, the crown prince since 1982, had long been considered the logical successor to Fahd. But recent rumors have pointed to a split within the royal family over who will rule. "Middle Eastern sources tell TIME that the Saudis acted for two reasons. One is to end rising speculation that a behind-the-scenes power struggle had broken out over Fahd's successor. The other reason to name Abdullah as 'acting king' is that Fahd simply needs time to recover, and he can't do that if he has to continue to carry out his duties as king."