RIYADH - SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah arrived at King Abdul Aziz Medical City here Sunday for a back operation, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

On arrival at the hospital, the king was greeted by a number of senior princes and top officials including Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Nayef.

King Abdullah was accompanied by his sons Prince Khaled, Prince Miteb, state minister and commander of the National Guard, Prince Abdul Aziz, deputy foreign minister, Prince Mishaal, governor of Najran, and other princes and officials.

The Royal Court had announced last Tuesday that King Abdullah would undergo a back surgery within a few days.

"King Abdullah underwent medical tests (recently) after he developed back pain...and the tests showed that the grip around the third vertebrae has loosened," the court said, adding that doctors have advised surgery to repair the vertebrae.

“The operation will be carried out, God willing, within a few days in Riyadh," the royal court said.

Last November, King Abdullah had gone to the US for treatment after he suffered a slipped disc and a blood clot was pressing the nerves on his back.