RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (BNO NEWS) -- Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan Abdul Aziz al Saud, who was the heir to the throne, died at a hospital in New York City on Saturday. He was 83.

Aziz al Saud, who was born in Riyadh, then part of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz, in 1928, served as Saudi Arabia's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation. He became Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister in August 2005 after the death of King Fahd.

A brief statement from the Saudi Arabian government said Aziz al Saud died after suffering from an illness, but gave no specific details. He had been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004, causing him to undergo a series of corrective surgeries, including one to remove an intestinal polyp. Aziz al Saud passed away at a hospital in New York.

He spent much of his last years abroad receiving medical treatment after convalescing in Agadir, Morocco. Aziz al Saud reportedly underwent surgery in New York in February 2009 and also began suffering from Alzheimer's disease only two months later.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was 'very sad' to hear the news. "He served the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for many years with great dignity and dedication," he said. "His contribution to the prosperity and development of the Kingdom will long be remembered. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the Kingdom and its people at this sad time."

In a statement, the Bahraini government also extended its condolences to Saudi Arabia. "Bahrain stresses support to Saudi Arabia on the sad occasion recalling with gratitude and respect Prince Sultan's contributions in serving his people as well as the Arab and Islamic nations," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had sent a message of condolences to Saudi King Abdullah. "I would like to express to you, your family, and all the people of Saudi Arabia our sincere sympathy and condolences following this great loss," Medvedev said.

The Saudi Arabian government said a funeral prayer will be held on Tuesday at a mosque in Riyadh.

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