The whole of Riyadh is dotted with Saudi national flags and eye-catching banners hailing King Abdullah as a great leader. The flags and banners read: “You are in our hearts,” “We are happy to extend you a warm welcome following your recovery from illness,” and “Welcome to our king and great leader.”

There is no official information as to when and where the king will arrive. It is, however, speculated that the monarch will arrive here this week.

The king underwent a  successful surgery on Nov. 24, 2010, at New York's Presbyterian Hospital. According to a statement from the Royal court, a blood clot was removed, a slipped disk was adjusted, and an affected vertebral body was stabilized. Following his recovery from surgery, the king went to Morocco on Jan. 22 to rest.

The king ascended to the throne in 2005 following the demise of the former Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd. Since his ascent, King Abdullah has contributed a great deal to maintain peace and stability at the regional and international levels. During his period, the monarch was responsible for a wide range of social, educational, economic, health, and judicial and political reforms in the country.

Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, is standing in for the monarch in his absence.