Saudi King Abdullah

Riyad: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has passed away, the Royal Court said in a statement early on Friday. Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz became king and Prince Muqrin was declared Crown Prince,  another Royal Court statement said.

“With great sorrow and grief 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,” the Saudi Royal court statement said.

Funeral prayers will be held later in the day following afternoon prayers at Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque in the capital Riyadh, according to the statement.

Prince Salman declared Saudi Arabia’s king

Another statement said that Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received the pledge of allegiance as the country’s king from members of the royal family. After that, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz received the pledge of allegiance as Crown Prince.

Both King Salman and Crown Prince Muqrin will receive pledges of allegiance from citizens on Friday evening, the statement said.