The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques dies
King Fahd, Saudi Arabia's ruler since 1982, died on August 1, 2005, at the age of 84. He is succeeded by his brother Crown Prince Abdullah.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz died in hospital on Monday.
Saudi State television has announced that he will be succeeded by Crown Prince Abudullah, who will be officially crowned in a ceremony on Wednesday.
The son of King Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, King Fahd was the fifth king of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi monarch was admitted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh more than six weeks ago suffering from pneumonia.
Information Minister Iyad Bin Amin Madani read a statement on state television saying "With deep sorrow and pain, the royal court... mourns the death of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd due to illness."
"The royal family members have acknowledged Crown Prince Abdullah as sovereign of the country ... after which the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and ruler of Saudi Arabia King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz chose Prince Sultan as crown prince and the family members acknowledged that," the statement said.
