The new decree provides for the eventuality of the king and the crown prince becoming ill or dying at the same time.

This precautionary measure is due to the fact that all the sons of the founder of the Saudi state King Abdulaziz Aal Saud are old.

The decree does not change anything the basic regulations whereby the crown prince is proclaimed king after the death of the monarch. In August 2005, Crown Prince Abdullah become king after the death of his half brother King Fahd the ruler of the Islamic kingdom.

What is new however are the procedures for appointing a new crown prince in which the wishes of the new king and those of the other prominent members of the Aal Saud family are balanced.

Western observers consider the conservative, Islamic, oil-rich monarchy to be relatively stable politically.

There is no parliament and no political parties, only a largely powerless advisory council whose members are appointed by the king. DPA