King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia

Prince Salman has been appointed the new crown prince of Saudi Arabia, becoming the next-in-line to 88-year-old King Abdullah's throne.

The appointment, by royal decree quoted on state television, follows the death in Geneva on Saturday of Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, reports the BBC.

Prince Salman, 76, is the current defence minister and has been governor of the capital Riyadh for many decades.

Prince Nayef, who was 78, died during medical treatment.