According to the radio this morning he has passed away after a lenghty illness, Crown Prince Abdullah will ascend to the throne and they (ABC News) did not expect any change in policy at this time. (Not surprising considering Abdullah has been dictating Saudi policy for at least the last ten years IIRC)

After his death, oilprices skyrocketed once more. Not surprisingly, I guess, since I don't think Abdullah (eighty years old himself) has any young heirs, giving groups such as Al Quaida an opening should the royal line die out.

There are how many Saudi princes? The line ain't gonna die out. Maybe dragged into the streets and beheaded -- but not die out.

Faud was merely a figure head since his stroke some ten years ago, so yes Abdullah has been forming Saudi policy ever since. I doubt we'll see any serious events over this.

<font color = lightgreen>Of course not. As with any other country when the current head of government dies or leaves office, things will proceed "business as usual" in Saudi Arabia.</font>