DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al-Saud died at dawn on Saturday, the country's royal court said in a statement carried by state media.
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Sultan, who was thought to be aged about 86, had been heir to the throne of the world's top oil exporter since 2005 but was a central figure in Saudi decision making since becoming defense minister in 1962.
"With deep sorrow and sadness the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz mourns the death of his brother and his Crown Prince Sultan... who died at dawn this morning Saturday outside the kingdom following an illness," said the statement carried on state news agency SPA and state television.
Sultan's health had declined in recent years and he spent long periods outside the kingdom for medical treatment. A 2009 U.S. diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks described him as "to all intents and purposes incapacitated."
King Abdullah is now expected to call to session an untested "Allegiance Council" to appoint his new heir, widely expected to be Prince Nayef, the veteran interior minister.
Set up in 2006 soon after Abdullah became king, the Allegiance Council is tasked with voting to approve the monarch's choice of crown prince or nominating its own choice instead.
The Allegiance Council consists of a representative from each of the 34 branches of the al-Saud ruling family who were born to Saudi Arabia's founder, King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud.
Because some members are thought to be traveling, the council might not be able to convene to approve a new crown prince for some days.
Previously, the succession was decided only by the king and a small coterie of top princes.
"The succession will be orderly," said Asaad al-Shamlan, a professor of political science in Riyadh. "The point of reference will be the ruling of the Allegiance Council. It seems to me most likely Nayef will be chosen. If he becomes crown prince, I don't expect much immediate change."
