The tough-talking interior minister is known for cracking down on Islamic militants and resisting moves toward greater openness in the ultraconservative kingdom.
Prince Nayef will assume the throne upon the death of King Abdullah, 87, who is recovering from his third operation to treat back problems in less than a year.
Prince Sultan died in New York Saturday at the age of 80 after an unspecified illness.
Traditionally, the king chooses his heir. But Prince Nayef was chosen by Allegiance Council, a 37-member body composed of his brothers and cousins. King Abdullah created the council as part of his reforms and gave it a mandate to choose the heir.
Prince Nayef, 78, was also named vice prime minister and will also keep his job as interior minister. » | Friday, October 28, 2011
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Comment:
Traditionally, the king chooses his heir. But Prince Nayef was chosen by Allegiance Council, a 37-member body composed of his brothers and cousins.
Did the Allegiance Council really choose the heir independently, or did they choose Prince Nayef knowing that he was the King's preference? – © Mark
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NZZ ONLINE: Ein streng Konservativer wird saudischer Thronfolger: Mit Nayif könnte Öffnung des Landes ein Ende haben » | Reuters | Freitag 28. Oktober 2011
FRANCE 2: Le nouveau prince héritier a été nommé : Nayef ben Abdel Aziz, 78 ans, a été nommé pour succéder à son frère Sultan, décédé il y a une semaine. ¶ La nomination du nouveau prince héritier d'Arabie saoudite souligne la rigidité du système de succession maintenant des octogénaires à la tête du royaume et suscite des inquiétudes. Le prince Nayef ben Abdel Aziz est connu pour sa fermeté. » | Par FTV avec agencies | vendredi 28 octobre 2011
