US President Barack Obama is among those paying tribute to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, who has died. <br /><br /> He had been in hospital for several weeks suffering from pneumonia.<br /><br /> Abdullah came to the throne in 2005 and is thought to have been around 90-years-old.<br /><br /> His brother Salman will succeed him, according to a royal court statement carried by state television. <br /><br /> In a statement, Obama said: “As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions.<br /><br /> “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.”<br /><br /> The future of those relations are now at stake as Salman takes up his appointment. <br /><br /> He becomes King at a time of unprecedented turmoil in the Middle East region and his role in politics will be closely watched.
