King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia buried

World leaders have paid tribute to the former ruler of the Middle Eastern state

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Mourners carry the body of the former king of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Reuters)

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The funeral of Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah was held earlier today, with thousands gathering to pay tribute to the monarch.

Many world leaders have also praised King Abdullah for his “stable” leadership of the Middle Eastern state, as others point out the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s continued abuse of human rights.

King Abdullah, 90, died early on Friday morning after he was admitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia. Details have not been released on the exact cause of death.

In observance of the traditions of Wahhabism, the ultra-conservative form of Sunni Islam followed by Saudi Arabia, the former ruler will have been buried in an unmarked grave immediately following Friday prayers at Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque.

The Arab League flag stop the Arab League headquarters is seen down, marking the respect for the death of Saudi King Abdullah, in Cairo, Egypt (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)

Middle Eastern leaders flew into the country to also pay homage to King Abdullah, who had ruled since 2005. Russian Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev was also in attendance, according to the media outlet Al Arabyia.

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King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia buried

World leaders have paid tribute to the former ruler of the Middle Eastern state

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