Special to WorldTribune.com
ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia’s ailing King Abdullah has ceded power and
left the country.
On Aug. 27, the royal court said Abdullah, who left decision-making to
Crown Prince Salman, left for a combination of vacation and rest. Hours
later, the king was greeted in Morocco, where Abdullah maintains a vacation
home.
“On the basis of Article 66 of the Basic Law of Governance and
considering our decision to travel outside the kingdom, we have appointed Crown Prince Salman as our regent to administer the country’s affairs and take care of the interests of its people during our absence,” the statement said.
The statement did not say how long Abdullah, accompanied by a delegation of advisers and physicians, would be away. Over the last two years, the king has taken long respites in Morocco, where most of the Saudi leadership maintains residences.
Abdullah, thought by the United States to be more than 95, is said to be struggling with a range of illnesses. His last appearance was as chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jedda in mid-August, where he met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
This marked the first time that Salman was formally given power since
his appointment as crown prince in June. As defense minister, Salman
is said to have been authorized to oversee both internal and external
security.
Western diplomats said Abdullah’s delicate condition might have become
strained during the OIC summit. They said the king, regarded as having
sharp mental faculties, engaged in intense negotiations with the visiting
Iranian president in a move that engendered opposition within the Saudi
leadership.
“Abdullah is deteriorating health-wise, but it appears that this sudden
exit could also be related to political reasons,” a Western diplomatic
source said.
Saudi Crown Prince takes power as King, 95, leaves country added by World Tribune on
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