Governor General heads to Saudi Arabia

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove will deliver Australia's condolences to Saudi Arabia on the death of its king.

Sir Peter will travel to Saudi Arabia to convey the condolences of the Australian Government and people to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

King Abdullah died on Friday at the age of about 90 after being hospitalised with pneumonia.

World leaders have converged on Saudi Arabia to offer their condolences, with US President Barack Obama cutting short a trip to India to pay respects.

Others guests included French President Francois Hollande, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani, Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla, Spain's King Felipe VI and Jordan's King Abdullah II.

Prince Charles and Prime Minister David Cameron came from Britain, while Russia sent Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Sir Peter arrives in Saudi Arabia on Monday. That means he won't be attending Australia Day events in Canberra.