Upon Fahd's death earlier Monday - he was thought to be 84 - Abdullah, 81, sticking to tradition, immediately appointed his half brother, Defense Minister Prince Sultan, 77, as his crown prince and successor.

But the first change on the throne in 23 years opens jockeying for position in the succession among the next generation - dozens of Western-educated, technology-savvy princes.

The choice of Sultan is a sign that reform, which diplomats and analysts say is essential for the ruling Al Saud dynasty to ensure its survival, has gone on the back burner as Abdullah pursues change at his own pace.

Sultan - like Abdullah, Fahd and all the 42 sons of Saudi Arabia's founder, Abdul-Aziz - had only a rudimentary education in the era before oil wealth flooded the kingdom. He is likely to appease the religious establishment, which gives the monarchy its legitimacy, rather than continue to seek to reform its institutions.

The newer generation grew up in riches, with greater technology and contact with the West - typified by Sultan's son, Bandar, who was Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States until he stepped two weeks ago.

Saudi Arabia's rulers face the challenges of liberalizing the economy and satisfying many Saudis' desire for greater freedom. They must tame the radical religious elements so the royal family's role as guardian of Islam's holy places will not be challenged.

And they must face extremists who many people believe are encouraged by the preaching of the establishment and its strict Wahhabi Muslim philosophy.

Unlike Fahd, Abdullah did not see the fate of his kingdom intertwined with the decades-old alliance with the US. But once he became the kingdom's de facto leader after Fahd's 1995 stroke, he was pragmatic enough to preserve close ties with Washington.

He understood he had to initiate changes after the September 11 attacks, carried out by 19 Arab hijackers, 15 of them Saudi. By then, pressure on Saudi Arabia to reform was immense.

When radicals attacked in the kingdom in May 2003, the Sauds realized their monarchy was at stake. Abdullah cracked down, arresting or killing dozens of militant leaders. But he pushed the first elections - for municipal councils - that were held this year.

Abdullah also worked to mend ties. He visited President George W Bush twice, in 2002 and 2005, and officials on both sides have said the tensions are over. But his relations with Washington were not always smooth.

In 1997 he told US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that American troops stationed in Saudi Arabia since ousting Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991 were becoming a liability.

That boosted his standing among Saudis, who admired him for standing up to the US. The last US troops left following the latest war on Iraq.

Inside the ruling family, Abdullah had to face being a half brother to the princes known until Fahd's death as the Sudairi 7 - their mother's name.

Abdullah's selection as crown prince in 1982 was challenged by one of them, Sultan, but the clan closed ranks, aware that a confrontation with Abdullah could tear the family apart.

Still, a foretaste of the opposition Abdullah could face came when Fahd, after suffering a stroke in 1995, handed the reins to his half brother.

In the seven weeks he held power, Abdullah refused to let the royals - close to 7,000 princes and princesses - dip into the state coffers.

The Sudairis pressured Fahd to take retake power, fearing for their privileges. But with Fahd unable to govern, Abdullah soon enough resumed the role as de facto ruler.

ASSOCIATED PRESS