(CNN) -- Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud died in New York early Saturday, officials said, raising succession questions in the key oil-producing country.
Prince Sultan, the half-brother of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, died "outside the kingdom following an illness," the Saudi royal court said in a statement.
Reports in recent years have indicated that Crown Prince Sultan was battling cancer.
A burial is scheduled for Tuesday, the Interior Ministry said.
Prince Sultan, thought to be in his 80s, was Saudi Arabia's 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.
King Abdullah's half-brother was the desert kingdom's defense minister for decades, meeting regularly with visiting dignitaries.
He took a leading role in Saudi Arabia's involvement in the 1991 Gulf War against Iraq, heading a coalition of about half a million troops from more than 30 countries.
Of his many children, perhaps the best known internationally is Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's former ambassador to the United States.
Prince Bandar served as ambassador from 1983 to 2005 and was friends with the family of President George W. Bush.
Saleh Al-Namla, a member of Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, said he will be missed.
"Crown Prince Sultan lived his life in service of his country and also serving the Arab people and the people of Saudi Arabia," Al-Namla, said. "He was very much loved by the country."
British Foreign Secretary William Hague also expressed his condolences.
"I was very sad to hear of the death ... He served the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for many years with great dignity and dedication. His contribution to the prosperity and development of the kingdom will long be remembered."
His death brings up succession questions, with some saying Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud would be the next crown prince.
In 2009, King Abdullah appointed Prince Nayef as the country's second deputy prime minister amid rumors about his failing health.
At the time, many Saudis took the appointment to mean that Prince Nayef was second in line to be king,
In 2007, King Abdullah created a group called the Allegiance Council to make decisions on succession issues. It is unclear when this group, made up of members of the royal family, will make a decision on the next crown prince.
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