The Saudi Royal Court on Saturday announced the death of HRH Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Interior Minister.
The following is the statement issued by the Saudi Royal Court and published by the Saudi Press agency (SPA):
“ With deep sorrow and grief, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, announced the death of his brother, Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, who passed away on Saturday. A funeral prayer will be performed for his soul at the Holy Mosque in Makkah after Maghreb (sunset) prayer on Sunday.
The Royal Court condoles the Saudi people on the deceased prince, praying to Allah Almighty to bless his soul and to reward him for his services to his religion and homeland.”
Prince Nayef (1934 – 16 June 2012), was the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia.
Nayef bin Abdulaziz was born in Taif in 1934. He was the son of King Abdulaziz and Hassa bint Ahmad al Sudairi. Therefore, he was one of the Sudairi brothers. He was the twenty-third son of King Abdulaziz.
Prince Nayef received his education at “The Princes School” and at the hands of senior ulema (religious leaders). Additionally, he was educated in diplomacy and security affairs.
During the period of 1952-1953, Prince Nayef served as vice governor of Riyadh Province. In 1953, he was appointed as governor of Riyadh Province. He stayed in this post for only one year. In 1970, King Faisal appointed him to both deputy minister of the Interior and minister of State for Internal Affairs.
Nayef bin Abdulaziz is said to be suffering from diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis as well as cancer.
In March 2012, he went to Morocco for “private vacation”, then to Cleveland for pre-planned medical tests. This news raised some speculation about his health and Saudi succession and he returned to Saudi Arabia after staying in Algeria in April 2012.
However, he again left Saudi Arabia for medical tests on 26 May 2012. Although it is unknown where Prince Nayef is for medical tests, his deputy at the Ministry of Interior and full-brother Prince Ahmed stated in Al Watan on 3 June 2012 that he is “well and in good health… and he will soon return” to Saudi Arabia. It was reported by Arabian Business on 13 June 2012 that Prince Nayef has recently returned to the country and received some visitors at his home. Prince Nayef passed away on 16th June 2012.
In March 1975, after King Faisal’s assassination, then-Minister of Interior Prince Fahd became the crown prince. His full brother Prince Nayef was appointed as the Minister of Interior.
In December 1994, he ordered hundreds of terrorism-related arrests with the support of Prince Turki, head of Saudi intelligence services.