Abbott extends condolences to Saudis

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has offered condolences to the government and people of Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud.

King Abdullah, 90, died early on Friday, elevating his half-brother Salman, 79, as the absolute ruler of the world's top oil exporter and the spiritual home of Islam.

"The commonwealth government extends its deepest condolences to the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Mr Abbott said in a statement on Friday.

"King Abdullah was a key architect of Saudi Arabia's economic and political development," Mr Abbott said in a statement on Friday night.

"May he rest in peace."

Mr Abbott said among his many achievements, the monarch oversaw the transformation of the Saudi Arabia's economy and presided over the first municipal elections.

He also supported an expanded role for the consultative Shura Council, including the appointment of women, and was a strong proponent of international interfaith dialogue.

He also placed a major emphasis on education, particularly as patron of the visionary King Abdullah Scholarship Programme, recipients of which studied at Australian educational institutions, Mr Abbott said.