Officials at the Saudi Embassy confirmed Saturday that Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdel Aziz, heir to the Saudi throne, died in Manhattan’s New York Presbyterian Hospital early Saturday after a long battle with colon cancer.

He underwent surgery in the city in February 2009 for an undisclosed illness.

The crown prince was the half-brother of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah and served as the kingdom’s deputy prime minister.

President Barack Obama said he “dedicated himself to the welfare and security of his people.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added he was “a strong leader, and a good friend to the United States.”

Sultan bin Abdel Aziz was 85 years old.

(Source: NY1)