King Abdullah announces 22 billion aid package

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz announced a £22 billion aid package for his subjects in his first act since returning to power.

The ailing monarch returned to his kingdom this week, for the first time in three months after undergoing back surgery in the US followed by a period of recuperation in Morocco.

King Abdullah's first act back in power was to announce a package promising extra funds for housing, students and social security.

He also promised 1,200 new jobs, reprieves for imprisoned debtors and a 15 per cent pay rise for all government employees, as a counter to planned anti-government protests next month.

However, some commentators see the aid package as little other than a bribe to stop subjects from revolting.

Mark Hollingsworth, investigative journalist and author of a book on the Saudi royal family, said: "I think it's very cynical. This is the first time they've introduced such measures to fund public services, education and salaries and it's no coincidence that King Abdullah is doing it now.

"It's a reaction to current situation. It's not a reaction to the real economic problems that Saudi Arabians face."

Earlier this month Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, granted each Bahraini family the equivalent of nearly $2,700 in an apparent bid to calm tensions, although protests in the country, which neighbours Saudi Arabia, continue.

During King's Abdullah's absence, his brother Crown Prince Sultan, 82, had been ruling the kingdom.