King Abdulaziz Of Saudi Arabia Is Dead

According to royal officials, Abdulaziz was taken to hospital suffering from lung infection.

Abdulaziz’s half brother Salim, 79, has become a king, according to a statement on Friday morning.

King abdulaziz  rose to throne in 2005 following frequent bouts of ill health in his recent years.

According to BBC, 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.

By Musalia Wycliffe.

Source: BBC News