Egypt uprising weakens ailing Saudi king

File photo of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah (L) and former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/164957.html

The already-ailing Saudi Arabian King's health condition has reportedly deteriorated seriously due to his efforts to prevent the ouster of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud tried to rally the United States support for Mubarak's continued stay in power despite a popular Revolution in Egypt, urging the removal of the 30-year-long Egyptian leader's regime.

"These efforts certainly didn't help his health and probably harmed recovery," the US daily World Tribune citing an intelligence source as saying on Friday.

"He has suffered a major medical setback," the source said. The 86-year-old monarch, who is reportedly a close friend of Mubarak's, has been recovering from two operations in the US in late 2010.

Mubarak handed power over to the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces on Friday, giving in to 18 straight days of pro-democracy demonstrations.

The protests were fiercely confronted by Egyptian security forces. More than 300 people have lost their lives since the popular movements began on January 25, reports say.

Abdullah called Mubarak late last month to ensure him of his support, describing the popular movements as "tampering with Egypt's security and stability in the name of freedom of expression," AFP reported.

The king branded the protesters as "intruders" and said, "Saudi Arabia stands with all its power with the government and people of Egypt."

The Friday victory was followed by countrywide jubilation in Egypt and Yemen as well as international congratulatory messages, namely from Iran and the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah.