King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has died at age 90, according to Saudi state TV. Abdullah, who reigned since August 2005, will reportedly be succeeded by his 79-year-old half brother, Crown Prince Salman.

While his official reign began nine years ago, Abdullah had been the the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia since 1996, when his half brother King Fahd suffered a stroke.

Salman, who has been minister of defense since and deputy prime minister since 2011, had recently taken on many of Abdullah's responsibilities. After being named king, Salman named former deputy crown prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz as his successor and heir.

[Image via AP]