Saudi Arabia: King Abdullah Appoints Prince Naif As Crown Prince

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has appointed Prince Naif as the crown prince and deputy premier, the Royal Court statement said late Thursday.

Prince Naif was the second deputy premier and interior minister in the Council of Ministers. He will continue to head the Interior Ministry along with his new positions.

Prince Naif, who has been the second deputy premier since 2009, was born in Taif in 1933 as the 23rd son of the founder of the Kingdom — King Abdul Aziz. He was educated in the princes’ school, in addition to receiving instruction from his father and eminent religious leaders.

Prince Naif began his political career as deputy governor of Riyadh and later became the region’s governor during the lifetime of King Abdul Aziz.

King Faisal appointed Prince Naif deputy minister of Interior in 1970. Four years later, the prince became deputy minister of interior with the rank of minister. King Khaled appointed Prince Naif as minister of state for Internal Affairs in 1975, and later in the same year, was named the minister of interior, a position in which he continued to serve till his appointment as crown prince and deputy premier on Friday.