RHIYAD – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has died, state television reported early yesterday and his brother Salman became king, it said in a statement.
King Salman has called on the family’s Allegiance Council to pay allegiance to Muqrin as his crown prince and heir.
“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 statement.
King had ruled Saudi Arabia as king since 2006, but had run the country as de facto regent for a decade before that after his predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke.
King Salman, thought to be 79, has been crown prince and defence minister since 2012. He was governor of Riyadh province for five decades before that.