News: P A Hameed
Daijiworld Media Network – Riyadh
Riyadh, Feb 24: As expected, King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has disembarked at Royal Terminal in International Airport here ending his three months’ absentia.
The King, who is 86, had left the Kingdom on November 22, 2010 for the medical treatment and underwent two surgeries to mend his spinal column and herniated disc in New York, US. It has been informed from an official that he headed to his royal palace situated at Rowdah here around 35 kms from the King Khalid International Airport.
He arrived at the capital city of the Kingdom, from Casablanca in Morocco, where he was recuperating following the operations. He has been warmly received by many princes, top-ranking officials and hundreds of people, who were keenly and excitedly waiting for the monarch’s homecoming. He was also greeted with the Saudi traditional sword-dance performed by a group of men clad with the white ceremonial dress.
Crown prince and deputy premier sultan, interior minister and second deputy premier Ppince Naif, Riyadh governor Prince Salman and other senior ministers were present in the terminal to welcome back their leader.
The roads were blocked and as such, some companies situated near to the Airport were given an official circular before hand to leave their office early at 12 pm. The entire airport road were seen with police and military forces, civil defense personnel, officials of interior ministry, passport department, Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Saudi Defense Forces, National Guards, ambulances, ministry vehicles and so on. All the preparations were on full swing since morning throughout the city.
The entire Saudi TV and Radio channels put the news on air soon after his advent and everyone expressed their happiness over their head’s safe coming and wished him for the good health and long life.
It is reported that all the government departments, educational institutions, colleges and universities including ministries will remain closed on February 26 to mark the return of the ruler. The king’s outstanding contributions toward the development and modernization programmes in the Kingdom are also televised in the TV channels.
He has announced several benefits for the people including extra funds for the social security schemes, housing, studying abroad etc. All the media described him as “a mainstay of the solidity in the region”; “a pledge of the systematized advancement” and so on.
Both Saudis and expatriates have fully expressed their delight over his return following his successful convalescence from the surgery. Expatriates in the Kingdom too are expecting some extra benefits as a mark of return of the King Abdullah.