Riyadh: Saudi Arabia mourned the death of Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, who passed away at a New York Hospital yesterday morning.
Crown Prince Sultan will be buried in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Prince Sultan passed away while the monarch himself, 87, remains in hospital in Riyadh, a week after he had an operation on his back.
Prince Sultan's death would not lead to any changes in the kingdom's domestic and foreign policies, according to Saudi political analysts.
"It is with deep sorrow and grief that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah mourns the loss of his brother and Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Sultan," the palace said in a statement announcing Sultan's death.
Speaking to Gulf News, they said that Prince Sultan played a pivotal role not only in almost all spheres of nation building but also in forming the kingdom's domestic, regional and foreign policies.
They lauded the late crown prince for his unflinching support to King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in vigorously pursuing reforms in political, social and economic realms.
Dr Mohammad Al Zulfa, prominent analyst and former member of the Shura Council, commented that the death of any leader, whether it is king or crown prince or president of any country in the world, most often may eventually lead to substantial changes in the policies of the respective countries.
Secret ballot
"However, in the case of Saudi Arabia, this is not going to happen," he said and added: "As per the spirit of the Basic Governing Law and the Law of the Allegiance Council, members of the royal family will, most probably, pledge their allegiance to Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz as the new crown prince. Before the formation of the council by King Abdullah in 2006, the king used to appoint the crown prince immediately after he ascended to the throne."
The council, which is composed of the sons, nephews and grandsons of Saudi Arabia's founder, King Abdul Aziz, is to vote by a secret ballot to choose future kings and crown princes. It was decided at the time of formation that the council's mandate will not start until after the reigns of King Abdullah and Prince Sultan are over.
Noted political expert Mohammad Al Eisa told Gulf News that the death of Prince Sultan is a great loss to the kingdom and the world as he played a crucial role in building Saudi Arabia as the powerful state in the region.
"The prince also played a remarkable role in shaping the kingdom's domestic and foreign policies. He extended outstanding contributions in building a strong armed forces capable of facing any challenges and ensuring political stability in the oil-rich kingdom," he said.
Mohammad Al Eisa also said that the death of Prince Sultan is a great loss to other Arab and Muslim countries which see in him a good friend and champion of humanitarian causes.
Meanwhile, the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) expressed deep sorrow over the death of Prince Sultan.
In a statement issued in Makkah, the MWL conveyed condolences to King Abdullah, Second Deputy Premier Prince Nayef, members of the royal family and the Saudi people over the death of the crown prince.
The MWL especially highlighted the leadership of Prince Sultan in carrying out humanitarian and charity works within the kingdom and various parts of the world.
"These charity works brought to him the title of "Sultan of Charity" (Sultan Al Khair). It is worthy to note that a large number of weaker sections of people, including the poor, orphans, widows, and the sick, in addition to charity organisations, have benefited from the donations and help extended by the prince," the statement added.
