First all Saudi televisions switched their programs to Koranic verses, which often signifies the passing of a senior royal, then royal officials made the announcement that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, 90, of Saudi Arabia was dead. A statement said Abdullah had died at 01:00 (22:00 GMT Thursday). The Saudi King has been admitted to hospital for a lung infection for weeks prior to his death. He had ruled Saudi since 2005. His half brother Salman, 79, has been confirmed as the new king. King Salman has vowed to maintain the same policies as his predecessors. "We will continue adhering to the correct policies which Saudi Arabia has followed since its establishment," he said in a speech broadcast on state television. Abdullah had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years, and King Salman had recently taken on the ailing monarch's responsibilities.
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