Abdullah, who took power in 2005 following the death of King Fahd, is expected to be buried later today following afternoon prayers.
"With great sadness
and mourning His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, and
all members of the family and the nation, express condolences for the Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud," the
statement said.
The late monarch's
half-brother Moqren has been confirmed as the new Saudi Crown Prince.
The public will be invited
to pledge allegiance to the new monarch and Crown Prince at the royal palace
later today.
Abdullah had run the
country as de factor leader since the mid-1990s after his predecessor suffered
a debilitating stroke.
He was admitted to hospital
on 31 December suffering pneumonia and the royal court announced that he was
breathing with the aid of a tube.
The death comes after weeks
of speculation and rumour about the monarch's health.
"He's been ill for
several weeks. He was admitted to hospital in December with a liver infection
and there have been rumours over the past few weeks that he had died," she
said.
His successor King Salman,
79, became Crown Prince in June 2012 after the death of Prince Nayef bin
Abdulaziz.
He has represented Abdullah
at recent public events due to the late king's ailing health.
In a televised speech after
the death was announced he vowed to continue the policies of his predecessors.
Rest in peace
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