World
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, patriarch of the ruling Al Saud dynasty, and known for dipping a toe into reform in the conservative Islamic kingdom, including increased women's rights and economic deregulation, died early Friday at the age of 90, according to Reuters.
Known for having close ties to U.S. Presidents George H.W. and George W. Bush, Abdullah ruled the kingdom as king since 2005, but "had run the country as de facto regent for a decade before that after his predecessor King Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke." He will be suceeded as king by his half-brother Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud.
The Washington Post noted, Saudi watchers have been talking about the transition from King Abdullah for a decade, but now that it has arrived, it’s as mysterious as ever. The death of King Abdullah begins a period of generational change in the oil kingdom that may last for several years. Crown Prince Salman, the new king, is elderly and infirm, as is the next in line, Prince Muqrin. The Saudi royal family, which has proven itself adept at survival, will be struggling in the next days and months to decide who in the next generation should be positioned for eventual power.
King Salman served nearly 50 years as governor of the capital Riyadh and was known, per Fox News, as "the mediator of family disputes." He may need to lean heavily on this experience as takes the throne iamid turmoil threatening the borders of Saudi Arabia and plummeting oil prices which, the Reuters report states, "[left] the kingdom likely to face its first budget deficit since 2009 and navigating difficulties with other OPEC members that disagree with its strategy not to defend prices."
Several top-level politicians sent condolences on the monarch's passing. US President Barack Obama expressed his personal sympathies and those of the American people, the BBC reported, quoting him as saying: "As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions. One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the US-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond."
Vice-President Joe Biden tweeted that he would lead a delegation to Riyadh to pay respects. UK Prime Minister David Cameron said Abdullah would be remembered for his "commitment to peace and for strengthening understanding between faiths".
