Saudi King Salman’s elder brother Prince Bandar dies aged 96

Prince Bandar bin Abdulaziz al-Saud passed away aged 95, Report informs citing Saudi SPA agency.

“A funeral prayer will be performed for his soul… on Monday… at the Grand Mosque in Mecca.”

Prince Bandar is a brother of King Salman and father of Prince Faisal, Riyadh governor, and Prince Abdullah, National Guard minister.

He was not said to be a politically active member of the royal Al-Saud family, which counts thousands of members, only a handful of whom wield direct influence over the kingdom.

His sons, however, hold key government positions. Prince Faisal bin Bandar is the governor of Riyadh and Prince Abdullah bin Bandar is the head of the Saudi National Guard.

Over the past years prince Bandar suffered from severe illness.