King Abdullah to return home soon

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdulazi has promised he will return home from the US - where he is recovering after surgery - soon.

The monarch - who underwent two operations to remove a blood clot and fix slipped discs in his spine - has been recuperating at his home in New York since being released from hospital on December 21 but revealed he is looking forward to leaving for Saudi Arabia and returning to work as soon as possible.

He told Kuwait's Al-Seyassah newspaper: "I will return to the Kingdom very soon to be with my family, children and people and my brothers in the Gulf.

"I'm getting a lot of relief from this exercise and of course it improves my health. I would like to tell everybody that I'm in good condition and will return soon . God willing very soon."

"I find enjoyment in work and feel relaxed when I work for my people who have vested upon me this great responsibility."

The king also revealed he had found "comfort" in the messages he received from people all over the Arab and Islamic world during his convalescence.

He said: "These messages reflect their strong feelings toward me and I value them. They are a source of relief and comfort for me."