ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia appears to be bracing for the death of King
Fahd.
Fahd, 82, has been hospitalized for what was determined to be pneumonia,
Arab diplomats said. They said Fahd's health has deteriorated and he could
have fallen into a coma, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We ask God to keep and protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines,
grant him health and well-being," an official Saudi statement said.
Diplomats said the kingdom has been on a state of alert and canceled all
military leave to ensure stability in case Fahd dies. They said Fahd's
passing could spark a power struggle among his seven brothers, particularly
Crown Prince Abdullah, Defense Minister Prince Sultan and Interior Minister
Prince Nayef.
This was the first time the royal palace issued an announcement of the
hospitalization of Fahd, who has been king since 1982, diplomats said. They
said the palace's appeal for the king's health was also unprecedented and
reflected his deteriorating condition.
On Saturday, Fahd was reported by authorities as being in stable
condition. Doctors were said to have removed water from the king's lungs.
"His condition is stable and the results of the medical tests are
reassuring," Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal said.
In 1995, Fahd sustained a stroke, from which he never recovered. For the
last five years, the king has not been in any decision-making capacity and
instead spent much of his time at his home in Spain.
The United States has been monitoring Fahd's health as well as the
tensions in the royal family, which has been denied by the Saudi Interior
Ministry. Diplomats said the Bush administration has sought to ensure a
smooth transition as part of plans to increase military and security
cooperation with Riyad.
"He has in fact had some health problems for quite a long time," U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said. "We have an excellent relationship
with Crown Prince Abdullah."
