DUBAI, June 15 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The federal army sent reinforcements to Ras al-Khaimah as protestors slammed the Emirate’s aging leader removal of his eldest son, opponent of Iraq war and a popular icon, from a succession decree on Saturday, June 14.

Military Vehicles and armored Personnel carriers (APCs) were seen rolling into palaces of the Emirate’s ruler Sheikh Saqr Mohamed al-Qassemi and his son Sheikh Saud, who was announced the new crown prince in the decree.

The state WAM news agency gave no reasons why the crown prince, Sheikh Khaled ben Saqr, 63, was removed from succession and stripped of the title he has held for more than four decades in favor of his step-brother.

More than 150 protestors marched to the palaces, calling for putting Sheikh Khaled back in place and condemning his father’s decree, eyewitnesses told IslamOnlin.net.

The Emirati Guards used gunfire to disperse the jeering crowds, leaving one demonstrator injured. Eyewitnesses identified the wounded as a police major donning civvies, as a curfew was imposed on the area surrounding the palaces.

The reinforcements were sent from the federal capital Abu Dhabi to the northern outpost at the request of the Ras al-Khaimah authorities "to maintain stability and public order", an official source told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Sheikh Khaled, known for his interest in politics, enjoys great popularity among the inhabitants of the Emirate, one of seven that make up the UAE federation.

Sources close to Khaled were quoted by Reuters as saying he had rejected the decision saying his father, thought to be around 90 years old, was not in good health.

The former designated heir is known for his opposition to the U.S.-led invasion against Iraq, and he had joined anti-war demonstrations in which U.S. and Israeli flags were burnt down.

No reason was given for the appointment of the younger brother, leading to speculations including that the elder son had laid down a plan to overthrow his father.

Sources said the ouster had a political implications, as the former crown prince was known for his hard-line stance towards the dispute with neighboring Iran over three oil-rich islands now controlled by the Islamic Republic.

Sheikh Khaled expressed his rejection to any settlement to the dispute that would allow Iran to maintain control of the three islands.

Emirati sources told the Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that the ousted crown prince "deliberately blocked" rulings by his half brother, who headed the Ras al-Khaimah town council.

Despite that, "Sheikh Saud was considered to be the strongman of the emirate in recent years after setting up several industrial and investment projects", the daily said.

Sheikh Saud is also director of the ruler's court in Ras al-Khaimah, which has a population of around 200,000 and is the most northerly member of the UAE federation.