King of Saudi Arabia hospitalized

The King of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has been admitted into hospital, a statement from the royal court said.

The statement added that the 91-year-old was taken for “medical checks” on Wednesday, December 31, amid growing concern over his health.

King Abdullah is currently on admission at the National Guard Hospital at the Medical City in Riyadh, the country’s capital.

No further details were given on the monarch’s health by the statement which was cited by the Saudi Press Agency.

King Abdullah was named crown prince, in 1982 and ascended the throne in 2005 after the death of his half-brother, King Fahd.