King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia passes away at age 90

AP

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia passed away this Friday and Prince Salman succeeded him to the throne, announced a statement from the Royal Palace.

The king was admitted to hospital last December 31 to undergo multiple medical tests, which showed three days later he was suffering from pneumonia, whereby he had to be an intubated.

He died on Friday “at 01H00 (22H00 GMT Thursday)” and will be buried the same day after the evening prayers, according to the official statement.

The age of the sovereign, about 90 years old, and multiple hospitalizations, regularly fed rumors about the future management of the Saudi kingdom.

Moqren bin Abdelaziz Al Saud, younger brother of Abdullah, was named crown prince, the statement said.

The new king has also appointed this Friday his nephew Mohamed bin Nayef as second in line of succession of the oil monarchy, according to a royal decree released by the official Saudi media.