Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Undergoes Back Surgery In The US

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, has undergone back surgery and is currently recovering, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.

“Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, underwent successfully a surgery in the vertebrae in the United States of America,” SPA reported, quoting a report issued by the Royal Court.

“Prince Saud is conducting an usual physiotherapy following the surgery,” it added, without providing further details.

Prince Saud Al-Faisal, 75, suffers from a chronic back complaint, according to Reuters. He has served as the Kingdom’s foreign minister since March 1975.

A Princeton University graduate, he previously served as the deputy minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and the deputy governor of Petromin.

News of his health follows the passing away of Saudi’s King Abdullah on Friday. King Abdullah, 90, was immediately succeeded by his half brother, Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.