King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdulaziz passes away

King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdulaziz passed away in hospital from pneumonia, Kingdom officials announced, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

King Abdullah was 90 years old, and was admitted to hospital on December 31 due to pneumonia, writes the BBC.

- His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his family members, and the entire nation mourn the death of the "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz who passed away at one o'clock this morning - the statement reads.

King Abdullah was the 5th of his brothers to ascend to the throne in 2005, and he will be succeeded by his brother Salman, who is 79 years old. The King

US President Barack Obama expressed his deepest condolences to the family on the death of King Abdullah, as did other world officials.

King Abdullah was the 13th of King Abdulaziz's 37 sons. He was born in August 1924 in Riyadh, although the exact date is not established.

He was considered a reformer, allowing mild criticism of his government, including that women should be allowed to work.

Speculation has arisen that security in Saudi Arabia will now be compromised due to already strained relations with Iran.