King Abdullah recovers in Morocco

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Bin Abdulazi will convalesce in Morocco while he is recovering from back surgery.

The elderly monarch had spent two months in New York where he underwent two operations on his back to have slipped discs repaired and a blood clot removed from his spine.

The 87-year-old king is now set to spend time recovering in Casablanca before returning home to Riyadh.

The king was spotted smiling despite walking with a stick as he was welcomed to the country on Saturday (22.01.11) by Morocco's King Mohammed.

Although he appeared to have lost weight, his condition has vastly improved since November 22 when he arrived in New York in a wheelchair and clearly in pain.

Meanwhile, the king's brother, Crown Prince Sultan, 82 - who has also been struggling with ill health - continues to rule the kingdom in his absence.

He had to return to Saudi Arabia after an extended holiday in Morocco.