On Dec. 3, the 86-year-old Abdullah underwent a second operation at New
York's Presbyterian Hospital. Turki said the back surgery was successful but
could not offer any prognosis, Middle East Newsline reported.
"He had an operation today and I hope he soon gets better," Turki said
along the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.
Western diplomats said Abdullah was believed to be seriously ill. They
said physicians have discovered a blood clot that could harm the king's
vital organs.
The Saudi royal court said the blood clot was removed in Abdullah's
first operation on Nov. 24. The court said the second operation was meant to
repair several vertebrae in his spine and would be followed by an
unspecified period of physical therapy.
"The operation, which took place at exactly six in the morning New York
time, was successful, and a second phase of physiotherapy will begin after
that," the royal court said.
Most of Abdullah's duties were believed to have been assigned to Deputy
Prime Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz, responsible for internal
security. Crown Prince Abdullah, also defense minister, was said to have
dementia and has been limited to what diplomats termed ceremonial meetings.