Governor-General Peter Cosgrove will miss Australia Day celebrations on Monday, instead travelling to Saudi Area to deliver Australia’s condolences on the death of its king.

Sir Peter will be in Saudi Arabia to convey the condolences of the Australian Government to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud following the death of his brother, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

• Leaders honour Saudi king
• ‘Moderate’ prince takes Saudi throne

King Abdullah, aged 90, died on Friday after being hospitalised with pneumonia.

Late Saudi King Abdullah. Photo: AAP

Flags on government buildings and landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge were flown at half-mast on Saturday to mark King Abdullah’s death.

Australian Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon said on Twitter it was ‘disappointing’ flags were flying at half mast “in honour of Saudi Arabia’s dictator”.

“Women whipped for driving under his despotic regime,” she added.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser also publicly condemned the tribute to King Abdullah.

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.

Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande, Prince Charles, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Spain’s King Felipe VI have also made the trip.

According to Fairfax, the Governor General was due to attend a national flag raising and citizenship ceremony in Canberra on Monday, but his televised Australia Day message will still go ahead.

@leerhiannon should not have happened

— Malcolm Fraser (@MalcolmFraser12) January 24, 2015

The Harbour Bridge flags are at half-mast for that dead Saudi tyrant? Seriously??

— Ben Raue (@benraue) January 24, 2015