2nd LD: Saudi King Abdullah dies, succeeded by half-brother

Saudi King Abdullah has died and his half-brother Salman has become the new ruler, the Royal Court announced Friday. Prince Muqrin was declared new Crown Prince.

"With great sorrow and grief 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 1 a.m. this morning," the Saudi Royal court statement said.

Abdullah, born in 1924, was hospitalized in December for pneumonia and had been breathing with aid. He died at 1 a.m. Friday (2200 GMT Thursday).

Funeral prayers will be held later in the day following afternoon prayers at Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque in the capital Riyadh.

Former Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received the pledge of allegiance as the country's king from members of the royal family. After that, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz received the pledge of allegiance as crown prince.

Both King Salman and Crown Prince Muqrin will receive pledges of allegiance from citizens on Friday evening.

The Royal court announced on Jan. 2 that King Abdullah was on temporary ventilator for respiratory infection.

Selected as crown prince in 1982, Abdullah had taken responsibility for the day-to-day running of the country after late King Fahd suffered a stroke in 1995.

He is seen as the main force behind unprecedented reform in the past years, including the first communal elections and giving women new professional career choices.

Salman was appointed as crown prince in 2012 after the death of Saudi Arabia's heir apparent and interior minister prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Salman also served as deputy premier and defense minister. Endi