Mother And Child With Poliosis, A Hereditary White Streak In Hair

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has died, state television announced early Friday. He was 90.

King Abdullah's successor, half-brother Deputy Prime Minister Salman bin Abdul Aziz, became king immediately after his death, state television reported. 

"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," state television said in a statement attributed to Salman.

Abdullah, who took power in 2005 after the death of his brother King Fahd, was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 31, state media reported at the time. After speculation about his health, all channels of Saudi TV on Friday began broadcasting recitations of the Quran. State television said King Abdullah died of pneumonia. 

King Abdullah's body will be washed, as is the Islamic tradition, and then dressed in the last robe he wore. His body will be taken to the main mosque in Riyadh, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque, and funeral prayers will be held at that mosque and mosques throughout the country. The body will then taken to the Al Oud cemetery in Riyadh for burial Friday.

Salman is aged in his 80s and is widely thought to be in bad health. Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz, who is also King Abdullah's half-brother and is a former head of Saudi intelligence, was named crown prince.