Second Deputy Prime Minister
Since Crown Prince Sultan could not deal with demanding duties due to his extended absences for treatment and King Abdullah was about to travel to Doha to attend the League of Arab States Summit before going to London for the G20 Summit, it was imperative to leave a senior official in charge, which added burdens to the leukemia-suffering 76-year-old Nayef. Therefore, on 27 March 2009, Prince Nayef became Second Deputy Prime Minister. It caused a rare public split in the royal family. Prince Talal asked the King to clarify that the appointment did not necessarily mean that Nayef would become Crown Prince.
His appointment as Second Deputy Prime Minister expanded Prince Nayef's influence into all corners of Saudi domestic policy and allowed him to participate in the development of foreign policy. He was not expected to interfere in economic matters, but to influence the judiciary.
Prince Nayef chaired many cabinet meetings when King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan were away for health reasons. Critics said he was behind the cancellation of the nation's only film festival in the summer of 2009. In November 2010, he undertook all Hajj-related responsibilities. In some government offices, his picture was added next to King Abdulaziz, King Abdullah, and Crown Prince Sultan.
Read more about this topic: Nayef Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud
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