Saudi crown prince said to be well

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, July 28 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabian officials say Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud is well, state-run media reported Tuesday.

The Saudi Press Agency said the country's second deputy prime minister, Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, told Cabinet members the crown price, who is believed to be in his 80s, is convalescing at his residence in the Moroccan city of Agadir, CNN reported.

The U.S. broadcaster said speculation over Sultan's health have mounted since he came to New York in February to undergo surgery for an undisclosed illness. CNN said Sultan's brother, Saudi King Abdullah, visited him in Agadir this week to check on his health.

Analysts say the appointment of Prince Nayef, the interior minister, as a second deputy prime minister has sparked even more questions, raising speculation that he has passed Sultan in the line to become the next Saudi king. Saudi officials say the move was purely administrative.