King Abdullah dies, Prince Salman assumes Saudi throne

King Abdullah bin Abdelaziz was the 13th son of the founder of modern Saudi ArabiaKing Abdullah bin Abdelaziz was the 13th son of the founder of modern Saudi ArabiaSaudi King Abdullah bin Abdelaziz has passed away and his Crown Prince Salman has been declared the new monarch. In a statement carried by the Saudi TV in the early hours of Friday, the Saudi Royal Court announced the death of King Abdullah.

It declared Crown Prince Salman bin Abdelaziz as new king of the oil-rich Gulf country and Prince Muqrin bin Abdelaziz as the new Crown Prince. "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 [10pm GMT] this morning," the statement said.
Believed born in Riyadh in August 1924

His mother, Fahda, was the eighth of King Abdulaziz al-Saud's 16 wives

Appointed commander of the Saudi National Guard in 1962

Became crown prince and first deputy prime minister in 1982

Succeeded to the throne in August 2005 following the death of King Fahd

King Abdullah, who was said to be aged about 90, was recently admitted to hospital after suffering lung infection. He was diagnosed with pneumonitis, making it necessary for hospital doctors to provide him with a tube to allow him to breathe.

King Abdullah underwent back surgery in November 2012. Ever since, he has refrained from attending events outside the kingdom, including a recent high-profile Gulf summit held in Qatari capital Doha.

King Salman, 79, is a half-brother of the deceased king. He was appointed crown prince in June of 2012 after the death of the late crown prince, Naif.

Prince Muqrin, who is in his lates 60s, is also a half-brother of Abdullah. He was serving as second deputy prime minister and the king's special envoy. 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, usually referred to as Ibn Saud, who died in 1953.

Update: The Royal Court of Jordan has announced a 40-day mourning for the death of King Abdullah bin Abdelaziz.https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/16520-king-abdullah-dies-prince-salman-assumes-saudi-throne