Saudi Arabia's Prince Bandar, King Salman's elder brother, dies at 96

UAE leaders send their condolences after the death of the tenth son of the country's founding monarch

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - OCTOBER 05: The Saudi Arabia national flag is seen above the Saudi Arabia Consulate on October 5, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey.  Saudi Consulate officials have said that missing writer and Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi went missing after leaving the consulate, however the statement directly contradicts other sources including Turkish officials who believe that the writer is still inside and being held by Saudi officials. Jamal Khashoggi a Saudi writer critical of the Kingdom and a contributor to the Washington Post was living in self -imposed exile in the U.S.  (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
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King Salman's elder half-brother, who was the tenth son of the country's founding monarch, has died at age 96.

Prince Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was the eldest living son of King Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prince Faisal bin Turki announced the death on Twitter on Sunday.

Prince Bandar's sons hold important posts: Prince Faisal bin Bandar is governor of Riyadh; Prince Abdullah bin Bandar heads the National Guard; and Prince Khalid bin Bandar serves as an adviser to King Salman.

epa07476253 A handout photo made available by the Saudi Royal Palace shows Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud attending the Arab Summit in Tunis, Tunisia, 31 March 2019. Arab leaders are holding their 30th annual summit in Tunis and are expected to discuss the US recognition of Israel’s sovereignty on Golan heights and developments in Syria, Yemen and Libya.  EPA/BANDAR ALGALOUD HANDOUT  HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
UAE leaders have sent their condolences to Saudi Arabia's King Salman after the death of Prince Bandar. EPA

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, on the death of Prince Bandar.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also sent messages of condolences.

Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, sent similar messages of condolences to King Salman.