S Arabia names Prince Nayef as heir to throne

---

RIYADH, Oct 28 (BBC): Saudi Arabia has named Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz al Saud as the heir to the throne of King Abdullah. The move follows the death last week of the previous crown prince, Sultan bin Abdul Aziz. The new crown prince, aged 78, has been the oil-rich kingdom's interior minister since 1975 and will now also become deputy prime minister. King Abdullah, 87, is recovering from his third operation to treat back problems in less than a year. Prince Nayef is a brother of the late Crown Prince Sultan, and like his brother, is regarded as less reform-minded than King Abdullah. He has been interior minister since 1975.