A handout picture released by the Saudi Press Agency September 29 2013 shows Saudi's King Abdullah at the Al Salam royal palace. King Abdullah was admitted to hospital on December 31, 2014 AFP Photo
A handout picture released by the Saudi Press Agency September 29 2013 shows Saudi's King Abdullah at the Al Salam royal palace. King Abdullah was admitted to hospital on December 31, 2014 AFP Photo

Saudi King Abdullah admitted to Riyadh hospital



RIYADH // King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia was admitted to hospital on Wednesday for “medical checks”, the royal court said.

The king was admitted to the King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, a court statement carried by the official SPA news agency said.

King Abdullah is believed to be around 90 although his exact age is unknown.

He underwent two operations in October 2011 and November 2012 to correct “ligament slackening” in the upper back.

The king’s half-brother Prince Salman, 77, is next in line to the throne. He was named crown prince in June 2012 following the death of Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz.

Prince Salman has been representing the king at most public events, including the latest Gulf summit in Qatar last month.

The king’s latest hospitalisation comes as Saudi Arabia holds a high-profile position in the US-led fight against the extremist group ISIL, which has seized swathes of neighbouring Iraq and Syria.

Saudi warplanes have joined in coalition airstrikes against the militants in Syria.

Since the death in 1952 of King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, the throne has systematically passed from one of his sons to another, brothers and half-brothers.

But many of King Abdul Aziz’s sons are old or have died. King Abdullah’s former crown princes Sultan and Nayef died in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

In March last year, King Abdullah named his half-brother Prince Muqrin as a second crown prince, in an unprecedented move.

Prince Muqrin is the youngest of King Abdul Aziz’s sons.

* Agence France-Presse

THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.