Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has died, the nation’s officials said.

Crown Prince Sultan, thought to be in his 80s, was the minister of defense, and was one of the top figures in the Saudi kingdom. He’s had various medical issues in recent years.

In 2009, he was in New York for surgery for an undisclosed illness and had also flown to Morocco for medical treatment over the years.

The country’s royal court released a statement about the death Saturday.

“King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud mourns the death of his brother and his Crown Prince … Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud,” the statement said.

The statement also said he died “outside the kingdom following an illness,” but did not release details on the ailment.

Reports in recent years have indicated that Crown Prince Sultan was battling cancer.

King Abdullah’s half-brother was the desert kingdom’s defense minister for decades, meeting regularly with visiting dignitaries.

There were no more immediate details about his death.

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CNN

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