Saudi Prince Dies in New York Hospital

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud died in NYC this morning at the age of 85. He had reportedly been battling colon cancer since 2009 and was the half brother of the ailing Saudi King Abdullah.

According to Saudi news sources, the transition will be "orderly" and you can read it here. The funeral services will be held in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Who will be the next Prince?

According to the Voice of America, "Political observers have expected whoever is chosen would likely continue the close alliance between the oil-rich nation and the United States."

Sources who watch the Middle East have speculated that the Sultan's son, Prince Kahled bin Sultan Al Saud will inherit the position. Khaled has been the deputy defense minister since 2001 and commander of the Saudi army during the 1991 War in the Gulf.

According to the CIA's website, Saudi Arabia is the, "birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques."

There are over 28,000,000 people, of which 5.6 million resident foreigners who call the oil-rich Saudi Arabia their home according to the US Department of State website. A country whose people were once nomadic or semi-nomadic, 95% of them have now settled down.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud was deeply loved by his people. We can only hope that the next prince will extend the hand of fellowship to America as he has.

Our thoughts extend across the world as they grieve his passage.

Sources:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3584.htm

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sa.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/22/world/meast/saudi-arabia-prince-dead/

http://www.saudiembassy.net/

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Saudi-Heir-To-Throne-Dies------132368478.html