Much speculation now focuses on who King Salman would nominate to the Allegiance Council for approval as his heir apparent.

BBC: Middle East

As king, Salman might choose to nominate Ahmed as crown prince, or Salman might seek to do a deal with the more powerful senior princes represented on the Allegiance Council, in order to ensure their agreement to one of his own sons becoming crown prince.

BBC: Middle East

"The king was in the past, " said Salman Fadhil, who runs a small grocery store. near the royalists' headquarters.

BBC: Mixed reception for Iraqi royal