Saudi shares closed 1.4 percent higher on Saturday, lifted by gains in most sectors, on the first day of trading after the Saudi king appointed Interior Minister Prince Nayef crown prince. The all-share closed at 6,236 points and the petrochemical sector added 2.4 percent at 6,368 points. Heavyweight Saudi Basic Industries added 3.4 percent. The banking sector also rose, adding 1 percent to 14,469 points. Telecom firm Zain Saudi closed 3.6 percent higher after it announced on Wednesday that it plans to cut its capital.