Riyadh, Oct 23 (ANI): Saudi Arabia's veteran Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz will be the likely successor to King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.
Prince Nayef is likely to be named the country's Crown Prince following the death of incumbent Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz in the United States from an illness.
The Crown Prince had served as the defence minister for nearly five decades, but had been in the US since mid-June for medical treatment.
According to the Gulf News, Prince Nayef, who was named second deputy prime minister in 2009, a job usually given to the third-in-line to the throne, is likely to become heir to the throne after the death of Crown Prince Sultan.
In the past, who should become Crown Prince was determined in secret by the King.
But under the new rules, the Allegiance Council representing each branch of the Al Saud family should vote to approve King Abdullah's nominated heir.
Meanwhile, the country's Royal Court recently issued a statement confirming the death of Prince Sultan.
"With deep sorrow and sadness the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz mourns the death of his brother and his Crown Prince Sultan who died at dawn this morning Saturday outside the kingdom following an illness," the statement said.
Funeral services will be held in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday. (ANI)
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