The chosen heir to the throne of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz, has died aged 85.
The crown prince was Saudi King Abdullah's half brother. He was defence minister for almost 50 years before becoming crown prince, and made the oil-rich country one of the world's biggest buyers of arms.
Known to be suffering from colon cancer, the crown prince died while abroad. He had previously undergone surgery in New York for another illness after which he spent a year recovering in the United States and Morocco.
Few other details of the crown prince's death were reported, and the question of the succession is still open.
King Abdullah himself is ailing, according to reports, making the need to find a successor even more acute.
Some expect the interior minister, Prince Nayef, to be named in his place, but no announcements have been made.v
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
“I was very sad to hear of the death of HRH Crown Prince Sultan bin Abd Al Aziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He served the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for many years with great dignity and dedication.
"His contribution to the prosperity and development of the Kingdom will long be remembered. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the Kingdom and its people at this sad time.”