By ARAB NEWS

RIYADH: 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.

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