Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who was selected last year to be the next in line for the throne, has died abroad after an illness, his brother, Saudi King Abdullah, announced Saturday.

Nayef, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, had led the Kingdom’s fight against Al Qaeda. Nayef, who was reportedly thought to be 85 years old, had received medical treatment last month in the United States. Reports Saturday said he had died at a hospital in Geneva.

“With deep sorrow and grief, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud announced the death of his brother, Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, who passed away today, Saturday, 26 Rajab1433H (16 June 2012) outside the Kingdom, God bless his soul,” a statement from the Saudi Kingdom said.

Funeral services will be held Sunday in Mecca.