Old Bedouin Custom

Since Imam Yahya of Yemen's death (TIME, March 1), rival contenders have been fighting a civil war for his desert imamate. An Arab League delegation, out from Cairo to investigate affairs in Yemen, has got no farther than Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia. There the delegates have shivered through the desert nights behind mud-brick walls, warmed only by their camel's-hair abayas (cloaks).

Last week King Ibn Saud, feeling sorry for his guests, sent each Arab League delegate a hand-picked bondmaiden from his harem. Conscientious, westernized Abdul Rahman Azzam Pasha, secretary general of the Arab League and head of the delegation, politely but firmly declined the offer. Said Azzam Pasha: "It would keep the delegates' minds off the purpose of their mission."

In Cairo a Saudi Arabian official saw Azzam Pasha's statement in the press, defended Ibn Saud's gift. "Why, this is a fine old Bedouin custom," he said.

While the Arab Leaguers waited in Riyadh, the late Yahya's eldest son Prince Seif el Islam Ahmed captured the Yemenite capital of Sana. Ahmed el Wazir, who had proclaimed himself Imam after Yahya's death,, fled. Prince Ahmed, who had been his father's chosen heir all along, at last became Imam.

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