King Abdullah in Mecca as Saudi prepares burial of Crown Prince Nayef

RIYADH // Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah is in the holy city of Mecca as officials prepare for the burial of the country's crown prince.

The official Saudi News Agency says the King Abdullah arrived in Mecca yesterday after the death of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz, the second heir to the Saudi throne to die in less than a year.

Crown Prince Nayef's body was expected to arrive today in Jeddah from Geneva, where he was receiving medical treatment.

Burial was planned for later Sunday in Mecca.

Royal family members will then convene after a mourning period to select the next Crown Prince of Opec's top producer.

The expected choice is Prince Salman, the 76-year-old defence minister.

But it also opens room for a younger prince to move up the line of succession.