Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has died in hospital, according to an official announcement early Friday.
Published : 23 Jan 2015, 06:33 AM
Saudi Arabia to bury King Abdullah on Friday
President, PM mourn Saudi King’s death
King Abdullah: A cautious reformer
His brother, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 79, has taken over as king, the statement said.
King Abdullah, who was said to be aged about 90, had been in hospital for several weeks suffering from a lung infection and the Crown Prince Salman had already been running the show.
Abdullah, who ascended the throne in 2005 following the death of his half-brother King Fahd, had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.
Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed grief over his death.
The late king's half brother Muqrin, who is in his late 60s, has been named the new crown prince, the official statement said.
All four are sons of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, who died in 1953.
Saudi state TV says King Salman called on the Allegiance Council to recognise Muqrin as the crown prince and heir to the throne.
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, says the BBC
The state-run TV stopped regular programmes and began broadcasting verses from the Quran in the run up to the announcement of the death of the king.
The late monarch had been running the country at least 10 years prior to taking over formally; his brother King Fahd had been incapacitated by stroke.
Abdullah began reforming the highly conservative state slowly, allowing “mild criticism” of his government by the press, and indicating more women should be allowed to work.