Saudi King Fahd dies, Abdullah replaces him

RIYADH – Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd died yesterday and Crown Prince Abdullah was swiftly pronounced monarch of the world’s largest oil exporter and a key US ally.

A Saudi source said the kingdom’s oil policy would not change. Diplomats said they expected no major shifts in foreign policy under King Abdullah, who is at least 80 and has run day-to-day affairs since a stroke debilitated Fahd in 1995.”With deep sorrow and pain, the royal court…mourns the death of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd due to illness,” said Information Minister Iyad bin Amin Madani, reading an official statement on state television.Fahd, who was believed to be 83 and had been in poor health, had entered hospital on May 27 with acute pneumonia.A medical source said he died at around 6am local time.”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.Prince Sultan, like King Abdullah, was born in 1924.US crude oil jumped to US$61 a barrel after Fahd’s death.The Saudi source said Riyadh would adhere to its long-standing oil policy aimed at keeping global markets well supplied to stabilise prices.”I am sure nothing will change regarding Saudi Arabia’s oil policy,” the source told Reuters.A Saudi official said Fahd’s funeral would take place today to give time for foreign dignitaries to take part.Ordinary Saudis said they were saddened, but not surprised, by Fahd’s death.- Nampa-ReutersDiplomats said they expected no major shifts in foreign policy under King Abdullah, who is at least 80 and has run day-to-day affairs since a stroke debilitated Fahd in 1995.”With deep sorrow and pain, the royal court…mourns the death of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd due to illness,” said Information Minister Iyad bin Amin Madani, reading an official statement on state television.Fahd, who was believed to be 83 and had been in poor health, had entered hospital on May 27 with acute pneumonia.A medical source said he died at around 6am local time.”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.Prince Sultan, like King Abdullah, was born in 1924.US crude oil jumped to US$61 a barrel after Fahd’s death.The Saudi source said Riyadh would adhere to its long-standing oil policy aimed at keeping global markets well supplied to stabilise prices.”I am sure nothing will change regarding Saudi Arabia’s oil policy,” the source told Reuters.A Saudi official said Fahd’s funeral would take place today to give time for foreign dignitaries to take part.Ordinary Saudis said they were saddened, but not surprised, by Fahd’s death.- Nampa-Reuters