Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdulaziz is suffering from inflammation of the lung and will be receiving antibiotics at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency.

The agency reported earlier on Sunday that the 88-year-old monarch had a high fever and joint pain. He underwent medical tests at the Royal Clinics at Al Salam Palace.

In April, he was admitted and then released from the hospital after having a routine checkup, SPA reported at the time.

King Salman has led the world’s largest oil exporter since 2015. His son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman handles most day-to-day affairs in Saudi Arabia.

The crown prince had been expected to travel to Japan this week on a rare trip outside of the Middle East. MBS, as he’s known, was set to meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the visit from May 20 to May 23, according to the Japanese government.

He met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Sunday to discuss the war in Gaza and the “nearly final version” of draft strategic agreements between Saudi Arabia and the US, SPA said.

The two countries are nearing a historic pact that would offer the kingdom security guarantees and lay out a possible pathway to diplomatic ties with Israel, Bloomberg has reported.

Prince Mohammed also recently met with regional leaders including Jordan’s King Abdullah II on the sidelines of the 33rd Arab Summit in Bahrain.

The king of Saudi Arabia, Salman Bin Abdulaziz, is suffering from lung inflammation for which he will receive treatment at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah, a Reuters report quoting the State News agency said. The state-run Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday that the 88-year-old monarch had a high fever and joint pain. The king underwent medical tests  at Al Salam Palace.

The crown prince was scheduled to visit Japan this week, marking a rare trip outside the Middle East. During his visit from May 20 to May 23, he was expected to meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, according to the Japanese government.

MBS met with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Sunday to discuss the Gaza conflict and the “nearly final version” of strategic agreements between Saudi Arabia and the United States, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). These agreements may include security guarantees for Saudi Arabia and outline a potential path for establishing diplomatic relations with Israel.

A medical team was examining Saudi King Salman over joint pain and “high temperature”, state media said on Sunday.

This is the second time the monarch has been examined in less than a month.

The Royal Court of Saudi Arabia said that the tests will take place at a clinic at the Al-Salam Palace in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah.

Who is Saudi Arabia’s King Salman?

Before becoming Saudi Arabia’s monarch, King Salman served as the governor of the central Riyadh region and as Defense Minister. Now 88 years old, he has been on the throne since 2015.

His son, Mohammed bin Salman, was named crown prince in 2017 and is generally seen as the country’s de facto ruler.

At the time, the Kingdom dismissed speculation that the monarch was preparing to step down in favor of his son.

King Salman underwent surgery to remove his gallbladder in 2020.

In March 2022, he was hospitalized to change the battery of his pacemaker.

Since stepping into the limelight, the crown prince has implemented social and economic reforms in an apparent push to make Saudi Arabia less reliant on oil in the future.

Saudi Arabia has undertaken major construction projects, including building the desert city of Neomunder Mohammed bin Salman, with the goal of increasing tourism to the kingdom.

The prince has also overseen a crackdown on dissent.

Source: (Mint News, The India Express)