Saudi Arabia's King, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz dies at 90

Late Abdullah bin Abdulaziz

Saudi Arabia's King, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has died aged 90, it has been confirmed.

The royal figure had been in the hospital since December, battling pneumonia.

The late King Abdullah's half-brother Salman, 79, has become king, a statement attributed to Salman said.

The late Adullah's half brother, Salman

His death was confirmed on state television early Thursday morning, Saudi time, with channels cutting to Koranic verses - an action often signifying the death of a top royal.

Abdullah will be buried Thursday following Muslim tradition that a burial should take place within 24 hours of death.

Obama praised the 90-year-old for taking 'bold steps' in advancing the Arab Peace Initiative and credited the king for his dedication to education among his people and national outreach. 

A statement released by the new king read: '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.'

One of his last decisions is thought to have been referring the case of Raif Badawi, the Saudi blogger who has been sentenced to 1,000 lashes, to the High Court last week(Read Here).

Abdullah - who fathered 22 children with about a dozen wives - had ruled Saudi Arabia as king since 2005, but had run the country as de facto regent for a decade before that after his predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke.  ...DailyMail