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Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies

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Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, 90, died early Friday morning. He was the world's oldest leader. He was in hospital a few weeks ago with an infection. His 79-year-old brother Salman is the new king. World leaders have paid their respects. US President Barack Obama talked about the king. He said he was a good friend of the USA. Obama also said the king worked for peace and stability in the Middle East. The British Prime Minister David Cameron said people will remember Abdullah for his "commitment to peace and for strengthening understanding between faiths".

King Abdullah was born in 1924. He was the son of former King Abdulaziz. He grew up in palaces and worked in positions that prepared him to be king. In 1961, he became mayor of Mecca - his first official job. In 1963, he became commander of the Saudi army. He became King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in 2005. Many newspapers are writing that Abdullah reformed his country slowly. He let women join the country's parliament. The BBC said that the king "hinted" that more Saudi Arabian women could go to work.