King Abdullah in 'good spirits'

Saudi Arabia's elderly King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is in "good spirits" but will need to spend a considerable amount of time recuperating in Morocco.

The 87-year-old monarch arrived in the country last weekend after spending 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 but Prince Turki al-Faisal said his recovery will be slow.

The prince - who is the brother of Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal - said: "I saw him in Casablanca. He walked out of the plane on his own two feet and was in good spirits.

"But he realises that after a major operation he needs the time off for physical rehabilitation. I'm not sure when he'll be back in Saudi."

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.