Saudi King Abdullah dies at age 90

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz died after a bout of pneumonia at a hospital in Riyadh.

The news of the king's death was announced early Friday on state television.

King Abdullah, whose age was thought to be about 90, had been in the hospital since Dec. 31 with pneumonia. His health had improved after a few days, though he had remained hospitalized.

King Abdullah ascended the throne in 2005 after his brother, Fahd bin Abdulaziz, died. Abdullah had effectively been running the government, though, since 1995, when Fahd had a stroke.

Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, 79, Abdullah's half-brother, now ascends to the throne, though the line of succession was at one point in doubt.

Soon after ascending the throne, King Abdullah created an Allegiance Council that determines the line of succession by establishing a Crown Prince, effectively choosing who comes next to the throne. The line of succession currently goes from brother to brother, with Abdullah's half-brother, Prince Muqrin, 69, next in line.

Salman has acted as Abdullah's representative and also serves as Saudi Arabia's deputy prime minister and defense minister. He was widely anticipated to succeed Abdullah to the throne.

Shortly after the news of King Abdullah's death, U.S. President Barack Obama offered his condolences to the royal family and the people of Saudi Arabia.

"As our countries worked together to confront many challenges, I always valued King Abdullah's perspective and appreciated our genuine and warm friendship," Obama said in a statement. "As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions. One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond.

"The closeness and strength of the partnership between our two countries is part of King Abdullah's legacy," Obama added. "May God grant him peace."