Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has died in hospital. In a statement issued early on 23 January 2015, royal officials announced the passing of King Abdullah and said his brother, Salman, had become king.

King Abdullah, who was reported to be about 90 years old, came to the throne in 2005. He suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years and had been in hospital for several weeks suffering from a lung infection.

King Salman, who is 79, has recently taken on the ailing monarch’s responsibilities. King Abdullah’s half brother Muqrin, who is in his late 60s, has been named the new crown prince.

Tributes

US President Barack Obama paid tribute to King Abdullah, describing him as candid and having the courage of his convictions.

“One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the US-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond.”

The UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron said he was saddened to hear of King Abdullah’s death. “He will be remembered for his long years of service to the kingdom, for his commitment to peace and for strengthening understanding between faiths.

“I sincerely hope that the long and deep ties between our two kingdoms will continue and that we can continue to work together to strengthen peace and prosperity in the world.”

Succession

King Salman called on the royal family’s Allegiance Council to recognise Muqrin as his crown prince and heir.

All three are sons of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, who died in 1953.

“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, who passed away at exactly 1am this morning,” said the announcement from the Royal Court.

Reformer

Believed to have been born in August 1924 in Riyadh, King Abdullah was the 13th of King Abdulaziz’s 37 sons.

He was appointed commander of the Saudi National Guard in 1962 and succeeded his half brother Fahd as king in 2006, having been the kingdom’s de-facto leader for 10 years while crown prince, due to a debilitating stroke suffered by King Fahd.

Abdullah was considered a moderate reformer whose primary achievement had been in skilfully balancing the interests of Saudi Arabia’s modernisers and conservatives.

Stability

He allowed mild criticism of his government in the press, and hinted that more women should be allowed to work.

King Salman spent 48 years as governor of Riyadh Province before becoming crown prince and defence minister.