Interior minister is Saudi Arabia’s new crown prince

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has named a new crown prince, according to a state TV report. According to the report, prince Nayef bin Abdel-Aziz Al Saud, the desert kingdom's hardline interior minister, has been named as heir to the Saudi throne following the death of the previous crown prince late last week.

Prince Nayef has built up a contradictory profile having ordered a crackdown on Islamic militants but has also shown favour to conservative traditions, such as maintaining a ban on women's vote.

The prince will assume responsibilities of kingship upon the death of King Abdullah, 87, who is recovering from his third operation to treat back problems in less than a year.

According to the report, Prince Nayef, 78, has also been named prime minister in addition to his job as interior minister.