RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Saudi King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz died Monday in a Riyadh hospital. He was 83.
The official Saudi television announced the death saying the king will be buried after an official funeral on Tuesday.
Information Minister Ayad Madani later announced 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 ruler since the late King Fahd suffered a severe stroke in 1995 that weakened him physically and mentally.
Fahd entered the hospital last May 27 after suffering severe pneumonia.
