Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince dies, aged 86

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al-Saud died early this morning the country's royal court said in a statement.

22 October 2011, 12:00am

1 min read

"With deep sorrow and sadness the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz 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 carried by news agency SPA said.

The Prince, thought to be 86 years old, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004. He reportedly died at a New York hospital.

King Abdullah is now expected to call to session the Allegiance Council to appoint his new heir, widely expected to be Prince Nayef, the veteran interior minister.

Sultan served as the First Deputry Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation and was the first in line to become King.