Pan-Arab, London-based Asharq Al-Awsat, Jan. 23, 2015

"The Good King leaves, Salman becomes Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques," Asharq Al-Awsat writes on its front page after King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud died early Friday at age 90, three weeks after being hospitalized for pneumonia.

One of the many sons of Ibn Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, Abdullah ascended to the throne on Aug. 1, 2005. A "cautious reformer who succeeded in securing broader freedoms in the conservative kingdom but fell short in gaining greater independence for women," is how CNN remembered Abdullah.

Abdullah is succeeded by his 79-year-old half-brother Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, whose 2012 nomination as Crown Prince was described by Reuters as a sign that Abdullah's cautious reforms were likely to continue.

ABOUT THE SOURCE: Launched in London in 1978, and owned by a member of the Saudi royal family,  Asharq Al-Awsat is one of the leading pan-Arab daily newspapers, printed in 14 locations internationally.

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