Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz - the powerful U.S. ally who sought to modernize the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom with incremental but significant reforms - has died aged 90.
The royal had been in the hospital since December, battling pneumonia, and his half-brother Salman, 79, has become king.
His death was confirmed on state television yesterday with channels cutting to Koranic verses - only used following the death of a senior royal.
Thousands were today seen gathering in Mecca to mourn the death of King Abdullah, who had reigned over Saudi Arabia since 2005.
His funeral will be held later following Muslim tradition that a burial should take place within 24 hours of death.
A statement released by the new king read: 'His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1am this morning.'
One of his last decisions is thought to have been referring the case of Raif Badawi, the Saudi blogger who has been sentenced to 1,000 lashes, to the High Court last week.
Abdullah - who fathered 22 children with about a dozen wives - had ruled Saudi Arabia as king since 2005, but had run the country as de facto regent for a decade before that after his predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke.
New King Salman has been crown prince and defense minister since 2012. He was governor of Riyadh province for five decades before that.
By immediately appointing Muqrin as his heir, subject to the approval of a family Allegiance Council, Salman has moved to avert widespread speculation about the immediate path of the royal succession in the world's top oil exporter.
However, King Salman has already had at least one stroke, leading to concerns that his ill-health could mean that he was not a fit candidate for the role.
King Salman - who is now at the head of the world's top oil producing country - has recently taken over the ailing monarch's responsibilities.
He is a reputed moderate with a deft understanding of the competing demands of conservative clerics, powerful tribes and an increasingly youthful population.
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