Saudi crown prince Nayef dies

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has died in Geneva, Saudi state television said on Saturday, citing a royal court statement. Nayef, interior minister since 1975, was the heir to Saudi King Abdullah and was appointed crown prince in October after the death of his elder brother and predecessor in the role, Crown Prince Sultan. He had been in Switzerland since May for medical tests. Funeral prayers for Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud will be held after sunset on Sunday, the royal court said in a statement on Saturday. Burial traditionally follows immediately after prayers. The royal court on Saturday said that Nayef, the next in line to the throne had been ill for months and died in Switzerland where he was being treated. Al Arabiya television reported that the prayers would be held in a mosque in the holy city of Mecca. No details were released about his illness. He was about 78.