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Saudi King Fahd is dead

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz died Monday in a Riyadh hospital after a long illness, sending the price of oil soaring over $61 a barrel. His death, at times erroneously reported in the past, was announced on official Saudi television early Monday morning. The king was 83.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday.

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Information Minister Ayad Madani later announced that the royal al-Saud family immediately pledged allegiance to Crown Prince Abdullah, declaring him the new king and Custodian of the two Holy Shrines -- Mecca and Medina.

"After that, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, appointed defense minister Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz as his crown prince," Madani said.

Abdullah has been Saudi Arabia's de-facto ruling since the late King Fahd suffered a severe stroke in 1995 that weakened him physically and mentally.

Fahd entered hospital last May 27 after suffering severe pneumonia.

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