Saudi Crown Prince Nayef dies

Source: AP

June 16, 2012, 4:18 a.m.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia— Crown Prince Nayef, the hardline interior minister who spearheaded Saudi Arabia's fierce crackdown crushing Al Qaeda's branch in the country after the 9/11 attacks in the United States and then rose to become next in line to the throne, has died. He was in his late 70s.

Nayef's death unexpectedly reopens the question of succession in this crucial U.S. ally and oil powerhouse for the second time in less than a year. The 88-year-old King Abdullah has now outlived two designated successors, despite ailments of his own. Now a new crown prince must be chosen from among his brothers and half-brothers, all the sons of Saudi Arabia's founder, Abdul-Aziz.

The figure believed most likely to be tapped as the new heir is Prince Salman, the current defense minister who previously served for decades in the powerful post of governor of Riyadh, the capital. The crown prince will be chosen by the Allegiance Council, an assembly of Abdul-Aziz's sons and some of his grandchildren.

A statement by the royal family said Nayef died Saturday in a hospital abroad. It did not specify where. Nayef had been out of the country since late May, when he went on a trip that was described as a “personal vacation” that would include medical tests. He travelled abroad frequently in recent years for tests but authorities never reported what ailments he may have been suffering from.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-saudi-nayef-20120616,0,3770134.story

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Saudi Prince Salman seen as likely heir to throne

(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, seen as more moderate than his hawkish brother Crown Prince Nayef who died on Saturday, is likely to be anointed heir to the throne of the world's top oil exporter.

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An imposing figure, Salman controls one of the Arab world's largest media groups.

He believes that democracy is ill-suited to the conservative kingdom and advocates a cautious approach to social and cultural reform, according to a 2007 U.S. diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks.

A familiar figure to the kingdom's top ally - the United States - he is someone with whom Washington would be comfortable doing business.

"It appeared to me he had a good handle on the delicate balancing act he had to do to move society forward while being respectful of its traditions and conservative ways," said Robert Jordan who was U.S. ambassador in Riyadh from 2001-03.

more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/16/us-saudi-succession-salman-newsmaker-idUSBRE85F0EH20120616