King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, seen as a moderate reformer in one of the world's most conservative countries, died today at the age of 90.
The exact cause of death has not been confirmed, but Saudi press say he was admitted to hospital with pneumonia at the end of December.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, he had effectively been in charge of the kingdom since his half-brother, King Fahd, had a stroke in 1995.
He will be succeeded by another half-brother, Crown Prince Salman, aged 79.
Prince Charles and US Vice President Joe Biden are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia to pay their condolences.
In a statement, President Barack Obama spoke of a "genuine and warm friendship" with Abdullah. "As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions," he said.
David Cameron, who visited Saudi Arabia in 2012, said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of Abdullah's death.
"He will be remembered for his long years of service to the kingdom, for his commitment to peace and for strengthening understanding between faiths," said the Prime Minister.
Despite Saudi Arabia facing international criticism for its human right record, Abdullah was seen by many in his home country as a force for moderate change.
He pushed through "cautious reforms", such as giving women a greater public role, despite opposition from religious conservatives, says The Guardian.
However, the newspaper points out that Saudi women are still not allowed to drive, that political parties are still banned and that public beheadings still play a standard part of the judicial system.
The king was married at least 13 times, although kept no more than four wives at once, and leaves behind around 30 sons and daughters.
-
China’s single mothers are teaming upUnder the Radar To cope with money pressures and work commitments, single mums are sharing homes, bills and childcare
-
Employees are branching out rather than moving up with career minimalismThe explainer From career ladder to lily pad
-
‘It is their greed and the pollution from their products that hurt consumers’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
