Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has died, a statement from
the royal palace has said.
The royal court said in a statement on Friday that Abdullah,
believed to be around 90, died at 1:00am local time (2200
GMT), expressing its "great sadness and mourning".
The officials did not disclose the cause of Abdullah's death,
but he was admitted to hospital in December suffering from
pneumonia and had been breathing with the aid of a tube.
Abdullah will be buried later on Friday following afternoon
prayers, and citizens would be invited to pledge allegiance
to the new monarch and the crown prince at the royal
palace, the court statement said.
Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra said: "This is someone who
is definitely going to be remmebered as a reformist within
the royal family.
"He succeeded his brother at a very delicate time and
started reforms in the country."
Saudi TV also announced Crown Prince Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud, 79, is now officially the new Saudi king
and Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz is the new crown prince.
"His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all
members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz...,"
State TV said.