“In line with King Abdullah’s policy of transparency in his relations with his sons and daughters of the Kingdom, the Royal Court announces that the king has a back problem. Doctors have advised him to take rest as part of a treatment regime,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the statement as saying.

In another statement the Royal Court said King Abdullah ordered that studies will resume in all educational institutions under the General Education Department and the Higher Education on Nov. 27 instead of Nov. 22.