23 January 2015 Last updated at 01:50
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Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was the fifth of his brothers to take the throne and became king in 2005, reports Caroline Hawley
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Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has died in hospital, royal officials have announced.
A statement, made early on Friday, said his brother, Salman, had become king.
Before the announcement, Saudi television cut to Koranic verses, which often signifies the death of a senior royal.
King Abdullah, who was said to be aged about 90, had been in hospital for several weeks suffering from a lung infection.
Abdullah came to the throne in 2005 but had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.
Analysis: BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner
The official announcement from the Royal Court came as little surprise, but this is still a historic and sad moment for this deeply conservative Muslim country, home to the two holiest sites in Islam, at Mecca and Medina, and the world's biggest oil exporter and producer.
As king he pushed through cautious reforms, including giving women a greater public role, against opposition from religious conservatives.
King Salman assumes the throne at a difficult time for Saudi Arabia. Having defeated an Islamist insurgency 10 years ago, the country now finds itself sandwiched between the growing threats from al-Qaeda in Yemen to the south and Islamic State to the north. Both groups have their sympathisers inside Saudi Arabia.
King Salman, 79, had recently taken on the ailing monarch's responsibilities.
The late king's half brother Muqrin, who is in his late 60s, has been named the new crown prince, the official statement said.
The BBC's Frank Gardner says Saudi Arabia could face an increasing internal security problem following the death of King Abdullah
All three are sons of the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz, usually referred to as Ibn Saud, who died in 1953.
King Salman called on the royal family's Allegiance Council to recognise 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 1am this morning," the statement said.
US President Barack Obama expressed his personal sympathies and those of the American people, on the death of King Abdullah.
"As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions. One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the US-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond," he said.
BBC News - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies