Saudi King Salman Undergoes Successful Surgery

On Thursday, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz underwent a successful surgery for an inflamed gallbladder, according to the state news agency.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was admitted to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital on Monday. He also chaired the weekly virtual cabinet meeting from the hospital on Tuesday, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Notably, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi held a telephone conversation with the Saudi king, wishing him a speedy recovery and good health.

On his part, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud expressed his deep appreciation for President El-Sisi’s sincere wishes. He confirmed the deep, special Egyptian-Saudi relationship and long-standing ties binding the two peoples.

During the call, the two leaders agreed to continue intensive consultation and coordination on various Arab and regional issues during the coming period.

What to know about the Saudi king...

Salman has been the King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques since 23 January 2015.

He was the deputy governor of Riyadh and later the governor of Riyadh for 48 years from 1963 to 2011. He was then appointed Minister of Defense. He was also named the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia in 2012 following the death of his brother Nayef bin Abdulaziz. Salman became King in 2015 following the death of his half-brother, King Abdullah. He is the oldest surviving son of Ibn Saud.

His major initiatives as king include the Saudi intervention in the Yemeni Civil War, Saudi Vision 2030, and a 2017 decree allowing Saudi women to drive. His son, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has also led many reforms within the country.