World Leaders Attend Funeral Of Saudi Prince Sultan

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz died as a result of colon cancer on October 22.

Several heads of state and other senior officials arrived in Saudi Arabia on October 25 for the funeral of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz.

Among the foreign dignitaries attending the funeral were Afghan President Hamid Karzai, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, and Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.

Sultan died of colon cancer in New York on October 22 and his body was flown back to Riyadh on October 24.

The death of the heir to the Saudi throne has opened the way for a new crown prince.

Saudi rulers are expected to move quickly to name the new king-in-waiting -- which royal protocol suggests will be Sultan's half brother, Prince Nayef bin Abdel Aziz.

Reports say the Iranian foreign minister's presence will be Iran's highest level contact with Saudi officials since the United States alleged earlier this month that Iran was linked to a foiled assassination plot of the Saudi ambassador to Washington.

Iran has denied the U.S. accusation, which is says is baseless.

compiled from agency reports