Ailing Saudi crown prince exits country

Saudi Royal Court announced Nayef’s absence on Thursday, amid speculations that the prince must be recovering from a serious stroke.

Nayef, who has served as the kingdom’s interior minister since 1970, was named as heir to the throne following the death of the deceased Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud in late October 2011.

The 79-year-old would take over the rule of the oil-rich kingdom upon the death of King Abdullah, 87, who underwent three operations within a year.

The apparent power vacuum caused by the death and poor health of the aging royal family in the Persian Gulf powerhouse deepens amid an unprecedented wave of popular protests over the persisting brutal crackdown on people that demand democracy and a voice in government decision-making.

People in Saudi Arabia, especially women, have recently become increasingly vocal in demanding for their long-suppressed rights and greater freedoms, while educated youths in the country have taken strides to seriously challenge the very pillars of the hereditary kingdom.

MRS/JR/IS

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