News Desk: Saudi Arabia’s crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, a half brother of King Abdullah, has died, the royal court confirmed the report on Saturday.

He was the serving interior minister of Saudi Arab. He died outside Saudi Arabia. A statement issued by the royal court said that he was out of Gulf state for medical treatmnet.

The 79-year-old Prince Nayef was announced as crown prince after the demise of his brother crwon prince Sultan only 8 months ago. However, the current prince’s death raises the issue of succession for the second time in the Islamic kingdom when the turmoil rocks the Arab world.

The 88-year-old King Abdullah is now ailing and during such period prince Nayef’s death is a big blow to the kingdom. Offcials said that a new crown prince must be chosen from among his brothers and half-brothers, all the sons of Saudi Arabia’s founder, Abdul-Aziz.

His brother Prince Salman, 76, who took over the charge as defence minister after Sultan’s death, appears to be a strong candidate for crown prince.

Prince Nayef had spearheaded Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on al-Qaeda following a series of attacks in Saudi Arabia between 2003 and 2006 and then became heir to the throne in October 2011.