Saudi Arabia’s 88-year-old King Salman was diagnosed with lung infection on Monday. According to the Saudi media, the King is currently undergoing an anti-biotic treatment for the ailment. This is the second time the Saudi King’s health deteriorated suddenly in a month. The Saudi government’s press agency has reported that King Salman had been examined at the royal clinic in the Alsalam Royal Palace in Jeddah. According to the report, the King will be undergoing anti-biotic treatment until the ailment goes away.
Who is King Salman?
King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud took the throne in 2015. His son, Mohammad Bin Sulman Al Saul, was made Crown prince in 2017 and is the de-facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. King Salman has served as governor of Riyadh and as defense minister for decades. He was also the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia from 2015 to 2022. The 25th son of King Abdulaziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia, he ascended to the throne on 23 January 2015.
Saudi Arabia, the world's largest crude oil exporter, has been trying for years to calm speculation over King Salman's health. The Royal Court revealed in April that he had been admitted to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital for a routine check-up. Earlier, he was admitted to the hospital in May 2022, when he went for a colonoscopy. King Salman had surgery to remove his gall bladder in 2020. He was also admitted to the hospital in March 2022.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Japan trip
As a result of the king's health situation, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman postponed his visit to Japan, where he was scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the emperor Naruhito.