Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies - BBC

Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was the fifth of his brothers to take the throne and became king in 2005, reports Caroline Hawley  

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has died in hospital, royal officials have announced.

A statement early on Friday said his half brother, Salman, had become king.

Before the announcement, Saudi television cut to Koranic verses, which often signifies the death of a senior royal.  King Abdullah, who was said to be aged about 90, had been in hospital for several weeks suffering from a lung infection.  Abdullah came to the throne in 2005 but had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.

The official announcement from the Royal Court came as little surprise, but this is still a historic and sad moment for this deeply conservative Muslim country, home to the two holiest sites in Islam, at Mecca and Medina, and the world's biggest oil exporter and producer.

King Salman, 79, had recently taken on the ailing monarch's responsibilities.  The late king's half brother Muqrin, who is in his late 60s, has been named the new crown prince, the official statement said.

Abdullah was the 13th of the 37 sons of King Abdulaziz. He is believed to have been born in August 1924 in Riyadh, although there is some dispute about his actual birth date.

When he came to the throne in 2005 he succeeded another half-brother, Fahd.  King Salman spent 48 years as governor of Riyadh Province before becoming crown prince and defence minister.  Read More

UPDATE 4-Saudi King Abdullah dies, new ruler is Salman