King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia on Thursday, January 22, 2015 died at the age of 91 years old after a prolonged battle with pneumonia since December 2014.
He was a powerful United States ally who sought to modernise the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom with incremental but significant reforms.
According to a statement released in regards to his death, Abdulaziz’s step brother, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, had become the crown king .
His death was confirmed on Saudi state television in the early hours of today, Friday, January 23, 2015 precisely at about 1 AM Saudi time.
The statement said, “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 1 a.m. this morning.”
May his soul find a peaceful repose.
