RIYADH – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who is suffering from pneumonia, is in a stable condition but needs assistance to breathe with a respirator, a Royal Court statement said on Friday.

The royal court said the king wanted the public to know his condition because this is in line with his commitment “to be transparent in all public matters.”

“After examinations by a medical team it became evident that the king is suffering from pneumonia and his condition requires the temporary help of a tube for breathing Friday evening. This move has been successful and stabilized his condition,” the royal court said in the statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, and Deputy Crown Prince Muqrin paid a visit to the king at the King Abdul Aziz Medical City (KAMC) on Friday evening. They prayed for his good health.

They were received at the KAMC by the king’s sons, including Prince Miteb, Prince Turki, Prince Meshaal, Prince Abdul Aziz.

A Bahraini delegation, led by Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad Al-Khalifah, and former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri also called on the king and inquired about his health.  – – ARAB NEWS