Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia diedyesterday at the age of 90 leaving Queen Elizabeth as the oldest monarch at 88.
KingAbdullah died in the hospital last night after being there on NewYear’s Eve with suspected pneumonia. He was immediately replaced by his half-brother Prince Salman, 79, and leaves behind four wives and 22 children.
Quicklyafter his accession to the throne of the oil-richkingdom, King Salman vowed to continue the same policies as his brother, whomhe had often stood in for due to ill health over the last few years.
"We will continue adhering to the correct policies whichSaudi Arabia has followed since its establishment," he said on television.
Another of King Abdullah’s half-brothers, Muqrin, has been namedthe new crown prince, according to an official statement.
Abdullah, Salman and Muqrin are all sons of the founder ofmodern Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, who died in 1953.
Despitebeing the oldest monarch, Queen Elizabeth isn’t the longest reigning one. Thathonor goes to King Rama IX of Thailand, who has served for 68 years whereas theQueen's reign is just under 63 years.
Prince Charles was a good friend of King Abdulah and is expected to attend his funeralon Friday.
In keeping with traditions of the ultra-conservative form ofSunni Islam followed by the kingdom - King Abdullah will be buried in anunmarked grave after Friday prayers.
President Barack Obama passed along his sympathies overAbdullah's death.
He said, "As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage ofhis convictions. One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionatebelief in the importance of the US-Saudi relationship as a force for stabilityand security in the Middle East and beyond."
