RIYADH (AFP) - Saudi Arabia's His Royal Highness Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, a brother of His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, passed away on Saturday, the royal court said.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam last night consented to send a message of condolences to The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the passing of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Nayef, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs.

According to a press release issued by the Office of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, "In the message of condolences, His Majesty along with members of the royal family extended their deepest condolences to The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and members of the Saudi royal family.

"His Majesty prayed to Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala to place the soul of His Royal Highness amongst his loved ones."

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Nayef "died outside" Saudi Arabia having recently left the Gulf state for medical treatment, said a statement carried by Saudi state media, including Al-Ekhbariyah Television and SPA news agency, according to the AFP report.

His funeral would be held on Sunday after sunset prayers in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, after his body is brought back home, AFP added.

Nayef, 79, who spearheaded Saudi Arabia's clampdown on al-Qaeda following a wave of attacks in Saudi Arabia between 2003 and 2006, became heir to the throne in October last year, AFP said.

The nature of his illness has not been made public, AFP added. - Borneo Bulletin (17 June 2012)