On Sunday, the royal palace announced that King Salman, 88, will undergo lung inflammation tests. The state news agency reported the king’s status but not his health or testing. This is the monarch’s second lung treatment this year, after May.
The health of King Salman, the world’s greatest oil exporter and a major US ally in the Middle East, is keenly scrutinized. He last led a cabinet meeting in August, soon before signing a royal order permitting the cabinet to meet without the monarch, crown prince, or both, despite health issues. The oldest cabinet member who is a descendent of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of contemporary Saudi Arabia, must preside over the conference in accordance with the regulation.
King Salman’s health affects political stability and foreign relations. His illness may cast doubt on the leadership’s ability to handle crucial local and international issues, including the global oil market and Middle Eastern diplomacy. While waiting for health updates, the public turns to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has increasingly strengthened his leadership responsibilities.
Image Credits: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-07/saudi-king-undergoes-medical-tests-due-to-lung-inflammation?srnd=phx-economics-v2
