
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, June 17 (UPI) -- The body of Saudi Arabia's crown prince left Switzerland Sunday on a flight to Mecca where burial will take place after evening prayers, Saudi media reported.
Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul-aziz was first in line to succeed his brother, King Abdullah, but he died Friday in Geneva where he was undergoing unspecified medical tests.
Abdullah had not named a new successor as of Sunday. Under the Saudi system, the title of crown prince of the oil-rich kingdom does not automatically go to the eldest son. A council made up of royal family members appointed by the king chooses a new crown prince from among a group of brothers descended from King Saud.
Al Arabiya said that while the world waited to see who would be the next successor to the 88-year-old Abdullah, tributes to the late crown prince poured into Riyadh.
President Obama said Prince Nayef was a stalwart ally against international terrorism. "Under his leadership, the United States and Saudi Arabia developed a strong and effective partnership in the fight against terrorism, one that has saved countless American and Saudi lives," the president said in a written statement.
French President Francois Hollande said Nayef was "a statesman who left his mark on the development of his country."
Condolences also came from Great Britain, Algeria, Lebanon, Pakistan and the Arab League.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Additional World News Stories | |
LAUDERHILL, Fla., May 23 (UPI) --
Police said they have arrested a Florida man who mistakenly pocket-dialed 911 while planning a killing earlier this month.
|
LONDON, May 23 (UPI) --
U.S. rocker Jon Bon Jovi is advising 19-year-old pop star Justin Bieber to respect his fans if he wants to have a long and successful career.
|
ISLAMABAD, May 23 (UPI) --
Pakistan may get a bailout worth up to $15 billion from Saudi Arabia for its troubled energy sector, a Pakistani official told Dawn newspaper.
|
KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 23 (UPI) --
Yuichiro Miura, 80, scaled Mount Everest Thursday, becoming the oldest person to reach the summit of the world's tallest peak, his office said.
|
| Stories | Photos | Comments |
View Caption