Saudi King in Wheelchair, Passes Duties to Son

On Friday, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was admitted to a hospital due to complications from back pain. The 86 year old monarch slipped a disc earlier this month. A photo was released showing him being escorted in a wheelchair around his palace in Riyadh.

AP Photo/Saudi Press Agency

King Abdullah also recently transferred his National Guard duties to his son, Mitab bin Abdullah, last week. Many see this as a sign that the elderly King is looking to lessen his royal role. He had been head of the Guard since 1962.

As for his hurt back, tests were run and doctors told the King to rest.

“The king felt more pain in his back, so further tests were carried out at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh,” said the Saudi Press Agency. “It appears he has a blood clot in addition to his slipped disc, which is pressuring the nerves so the medical team advised him to rest and monitor the situation.”

King Abdullah has been ruler of Saudi Arabia since 2005 when his ailing half brother King Fahd passed away after many years of poor health.

Source: Digital Journal, Washington Post

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