Saudi King Fahd modernized kingdom while balancing with tradition and orthodox Islam

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia's King Fahd sought to modernize his desert kingdom while balancing change against tribal tradition and orthodox Islam, but a stroke a decade ago left him a ruler in name only during tumultuous times for the world's biggest oil producer.

His death Monday came as the Saudi government pursues an aggressive clampdown on Islamic terrorism and unprecedented reforms.

The portly, goateed Fahd inadvertently helped fuel the rise of Islamic extremism by making concessions to hard-liners in an effort to boost his Islamic credentials. But he also brought the kingdom closer to the United States and agreed to a step that enraged many conservatives: basing U.S. troops on Saudi soil after the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

In his last years, the sickly Fahd was mostly a figurehead as the close relationship he nurtured with Washington deteriorated after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were Saudis, and many in the United States blamed the kingdom's strict Wahhabi school of Islam for fueling terrorism.

It fell to Fahd's half brother and successor, Crown Prince Abdullah, to guide Saudi Arabia. Abdullah, who took on that role wary of close U.S. ties, oversaw the crackdown on religious militants after followers of Saudi-born Osama bin Laden launched a wave of attacks two years ago. He also pushed a campaign against extremist teaching and preaching and introduced the kingdom's first elections, for municipal councils earlier this year.

Saudi Arabia and the United States have also found themselves at odds over oil. Saudi Arabia is the world's largest exporter — sitting atop a quarter of the world's known reserves — and America is the world's largest energy consumer. With prices reaching $61 a barrel, Washington has been pushing the Saudis to pump more oil and bring prices down.

King Fahd, once a stickler who took a hand in the smallest details of government activities, stayed on the sidelines as the kingdom dealt with those crises.

His death drew expressions of sadness from many Arab nations, with Jordan announcing a 40-day mourning period and officials jetting to Saudi Arabia to attend his funeral Tuesday.

"Saudi Arabia has lost one of its dutiful sons, a leader among the most dear of its leaders and men," said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.