Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies, half-brother Salman to take over charge

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah died early on Friday at the age of 90, state television reported. According to a Royal Court statement carried on the Saudi Press Agency, Abdullah's successor was announced as 79 year old half brother, Prince Salman. Salman was Abdullah's crown prince and had recently taken on some of the ailing king's responsibilities. In late December, Abdullah was admitted to the hospital for medical tests. He had appeared during 2014 in a wheelchair and with an oxygen tube. King Salman has named his half brother 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 1 a.m. this morning," said the statement.