Saudi King Abdullah appointed one of his brothers, Moqren bin Abdul Aziz, as deputy prime minister, yesterday, making him second in line to the throne, the official SPA news agency said.

"Prince Moqren bin Abdul Aziz, adviser and special envoy of the king, has been named second vice president of the Council of Ministers," said the SPAreport.

The king, 89, is the president of the Council, and Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, 77, is the first vice president. In the event of the king's