RIYADH, (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, next in line to rule the world’s top oil exporter, has died just eight months after becoming heir to 89-year-old King Abdullah, the royal court said today.
Analysts and former diplomats said the succession process was likely to be stable, however, with the king and a family council expected to start work on the appointment of a new crown prince, who would probably be another brother of King Abdullah.
“With deep sorrow and grief… King Abdullah mourns his brother… Crown Prince Nayef who passed to the mercy of God on Saturday outside the kingdom,” said a royal court statement carried by state media.
State TV said Nayef had died in Geneva where he had been receiving medical treatment for an unknown problem – he was thought to be 78.
His death was not expected to trigger any major changes to the kingdom’s energy policy or to key relationships with the United States and other allies.
“The fundamental principle that the Saudis operate under is stability. So they will I’m sure develop a consensus among the senior members of the family over an orderly succession. That has likely been forming in recent months in any event,” said Robert Jordan, U.S. ambassador to Riyadh from 2001-03.
Defence Minister Prince Salman, 76, has long been viewed as the next most senior prince after the late Nayef. If he became king, analysts believe he would continue King Abdullah’s cautious reforms.
