(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Prince Nayef, who was also deputy prime minister and interior minister, had left the country for a holiday and medical tests late last month.

On 3 June, the deputy interior minister said the prince, who was 77 or 78, was in good health and would return "soon".

He was named crown prince in October 2011 after the death of the previous crown prince, Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.

The succession in Saudi Arabia still passes among the sons of former King Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, who established the modern kingdom during his reign from 1932 to 1953.

Next in line is expected to be Crown Prince Nayef's younger brother, Prince Salman, who is the governor of Riyadh.

Funeral prayers for Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud will be held after sunset on Sunday, the royal court said in a statement on Saturday.

Burial traditionally follows immediately after prayers. The royal court announced on Saturday that Nayef, the next in line to the throne had been ill for months and died in Switzerland where he was being treated.

The prayers would be held in a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

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