Saudi king appoints son as deputy foreign minister

Jul 22 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah appointed his son Abdul-Aziz to the post of deputy foreign minister on Friday, in a move that appears to strengthen the king's hand in Saudi foreign policy amid jostling for positions among senior princes.

The state news agency said the move was part of a series of appointments made by the king, who is in his 80s.

Saudi Arabia, the world's leading oil exporter and home to Islam's holiest sites, is facing a succession struggle as senior princes in the absolute monarchy manoeuvre to secure their power bases.

King Abdullah and his half-brother Crown Prince Sultan, the country's defence minister who is also in his 80s, and have spent time abroad to treat health problems in recent years.

Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal has occupied the post since 1975 but has difficulty speaking in public due to illness.

Friday's appointment places the king's son in pole position to take over the portfolio, which some analysts had previously speculated could go to Saud al-Faisal's brother Turki, former intelligence chief.

Abdullah has tried to push back the influence of powerful clerics in Saudi Arabia since ascending the throne in 2005.

But in the face of pro-democracy protest movements sweeping the Arab world this year he raised funding for clerics and other key groups in Saudi society.

He appointed his son Mutib as head of the National Guard last year.

Analysts say hawkish Interior Minister Prince Nayef, who maintains close ties with the clerics, is well-placed to become king but Abdullah is trying to promote allies while he still rules.

Washington sees Riyadh as a key ally in its global fight against al Qaeda, founded by Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden. US forces killed bin Laden in Pakistan this year. (Reporting by Andrew Hammond; Editing by Sophie Hares)