Saudi Crown Prince Heads For U.S. Medical Checks

The report on the Saudi Press Agency said the prince would visit for `some medical tests` and gave no more details.

Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz left Saudi Arabia for the United States on Sunday for medical check ups, state media reported. Royal and diplomatic sources said he would be treated for cancer.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said the prince, thought to be in his early 80s, was visiting the United States for "some medical tests", but gave no more details. A source close to the crown prince and a senior Western diplomat both said he would require surgery to treat cancer.

Prince Sultan had an intestinal cyst removed in Saudi Arabia in 2005 and diplomats say he is in weaker health than his half-brother King Abdullah, who is around 85.

The crown prince visited the Swiss city of Geneva in April for what were described as "regular medical tests".

King Abdullah has set up an "allegiance council" of sons and grandsons of the kingdom's founder to vote on future kings. The untimely death of Sultan, the heir to the throne, could bring it into operation earlier than planned and spark a succession battle.

Stability in Saudi Arabia is of global concern because the Islamic state, which does not have an elected parliament, is the world's largest oil exporter and a traditional lynchpin of U.S. power in the Middle East.

Islamists linked to al Qaeda launched a failed campaign of violence to destabilise the ruling family from 2003 to 2006.

State television showed a smiling prince departing from Jeddah airport, where at least 33 Saudi princes were present to see him off along with the entire cabinet, according to a list published by SPA.

He will be accompanied by his full-brother Prince Salman, state media said. Prince Salman is the governor of Riyadh and seen as a strong contender to rule one day.

Sultan has appeared regularly in state media since his Swiss stay earlier this year, looking healthy and active. He has visited Morocco for a holiday and hosted cabinet meetings.