Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Saudi Crown Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz has died,
setting the stage for possible power struggles in the Gulf Arab kingdom.

Nayef, appointed crown prince less than a year ago, died from heart and
other ailments in Switzerland on June 16. The
79-year-old had been sidelined throughout 2012 in wake of his collapse in
Riyad and two hospitalizations in the United States.

“With deep sorrow and grief, the custodian of the two holy mosques, King
Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, announced the death of his brother, Crown
Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, deputy premier and interior minister,
who passed away on Saturday abroad,” a royal statement said on June 16.

Saudi sources said Nayef’s death in a Geneva hospital was
expected. They said Defense Minister Prince Salman has been groomed for the
post for the last four months amid Nayef’s deteriorating health.

Nayef was appointed crown prince in wake of the death of his brother,
Sultan, in October 2011. Unlike Nayef, Sultan, defense minister for nearly
50 years, stopped functioning nearly five years ago before he died.

The sources said Nayef’s son, Mohammed, was expected to replace his
father as interior minister. For the last year, Mohammed, deemed the
architect of the kingdom’s counter-insurgency policy, was seen as caretaker
of the Interior Ministry.

“The royal court condoles the Saudi people on the deceased prince,
praying to Allah Almighty to bless his soul and to reward him for his
services to his religion and homeland,” the royal court said.

  Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Azia Al Saud, Prince Salman, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Salman seen replacing Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz as crown prince