(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz died at exactly 1 am this morning and his brother Salman became king, the royal court said in an official statement.
The late king's funeral ceremony will be held on Friday afternoon at the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque in Riyadh, it noted.
The statement further noted that the late king's half brother Muqrin has been named the new crown prince. The new Saudi king has reportedly called on the royal family's Allegiance Council to recognize Muqrin as his crown prince and heir.
Both King Salman and Crown Prince Muqrin will receive pledges of allegiance from citizens on Friday evening, the statement said.
King Abdullah became the king of Saudi Arabia in August 2005 following the death of King Fahd.
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