The secretary-general conveys his condolences to The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and to the people of Saudi Arabia."United Nations (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - UN Secretary-general Ban Ki- moon said on Saturday that he was "saddened to learn of the passing away today of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al-Saud" of Saudi Arabia, who was also the country`s deputy prime minister and minister of interior.
"Crown Prince Nayef devoted his life to promoting the security of Saudi Arabia," Ban said in a statement issued here by his spokesman. "He also made a major contribution to the recent establishment of the UN Counter-Terrorism Center in Saudi Arabia."
Nayef died on Saturday in a Geneva hospital, reports said. The crown prince (78) had been ill for a long time and received medical treatment in Switzerland.
"The secretary-general conveys his condolences to The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and to the people of Saudi Arabia," the statement said.
Nayef was appointed the new crown prince by Saudi King Abdullah last October, following the death of former crown prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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