THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES, KING ABDULLAH BIN ABDULAZIZ HAS DEPUTIZED CROWN PRINCE SULTAN BIN ABDULAZIZ TO MANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF THE COUNTRY AND TAKE CARE OF THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE. THIS WAS DISCLOSED IN A ROYAL DECREE OF THE KING ISSUED HERE TODAY. THE ROYAL DECREE SAID, 'IN VIEW OF OUR DEPARTURE ABROAD TODAY, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2006, WE HAVE DEPUTIZED CROWN PRINCE SULTAN BIN ABDULAZIZ TO MANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF THE COUNTRY AND TO TAKE CARE OF THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE DURING OUR ABSENCE'.