Flags at half-mast to mark death of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz had a questionable record on human rights. Photo: Reuters

Flags on government buildings around the country were being flown at half-mast on Saturday to mark the death of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

Abdullah, who was enthroned in 2005, died on January 23 following his hospitalisation for pneumonia. He was 90.

The lowering of flags to half-mast caused a degree of confusion and consternation among some observers, who pointed to Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record.

Flags at half-mast on the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Saturday. Photo: Lawrence Champness/702 ABC Sydney

Under the sharia law that governs the oil-rich state, women have traditionally been forbidden from voting, driving cars or leaving the home without a male chaperone.

According to the government booklet Australian Flags, protocols state there are occasions when "direction will be given by the Australian Government for all flags to be flown at half-mast". One of those occasions is the death of a serving head of state of a country with which Australia has diplomatic relations.

Parliament House in Canberra on Saturday. Photo: Bevan Shields

A directive issued by the Commonwealth Flag Officer on Friday afternoon noted Abdullah's death.

"As a mark of mourning and respect and in accordance with protocol, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Saturday 24 January 2015 Australia-wide from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies," the statement said.

In Sydney, flags atop the Harbour Bridge were flying at half-mast. A spokesman for Premier Mike Baird said this was because the NSW Government follows Commonwealth protocol.

Flags were also lowered in the United Kingdom, where the Independent newspaper published a front page with the headline: "Britain mourns a tyrant."

In the US, President Barack Obama expressed his sympathies and praised the former Saudi King as a friend of America.

"As a leader, he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions," Mr Obama said.

"One of those convictions was his steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the US-Saudi relationship as a force for stability and security in the Middle East and beyond."

Human Rights Watch, which had previously requested Abdullah cease imposing travel bans on political opponents and persecuting religious minorities, said the former King had failed to fulfil his declared reform agenda.

It said Abdullah had brought about "marginal advances" for women - such as an announcement that they could contest and vote in local elections in 2015 - but had failed to secure basic democratic rights for all Saudi Arabia's citizens.

The country's Shia community continued to suffer discrimination and dissidents were still persecuted under his regime, the organisation said.

"King Abdullah came to power promising reforms, but his agenda fell far short of achieving lasting institutional gains on basic rights for Saudi citizens," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director for Human Rights Watch.

In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia publicly beheaded a Burmese woman - Laila Bint Abdul Muttalib Basim - who was convicted of murdering her daughter, and sentenced blogger Raif Badawi to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam.

A Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet spokeswoman said flying the flag at half-mast was in line with protocol. By 6pm on Saturday the flag at Parliament House had been raised to its usual position.