Saudi Arabia's ruler, King Fahd, died early Monday in Riyadh, three officials told The Associated Press.

"The king died early this morning," said an official at the King Faisal Specialized Hospital in the Saudi capital who declined to be identified because the death of Fahd, who was believed to be 82, had not been officially announced.

Saudi Arabia's royal court says King Fahd's brother, Crown Prince Abdullah, has been appointed the country's new monarch.

Associated Press