King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia is receiving treatment for lung inflammation at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah, reports said citing the state news agency. The 88-year-old, who ascended the throne in 2015 following the death of his half-brother King Abdullah,&nbsp;will be administered antibiotics until his condition improves. This comes after King Salman on Sunday (May 19) underwent medical tests at the royal clinics at Al Salam Palace due to fever and joint pain.&nbsp;

This follows a routine checkup in April when he was last admitted to the hospital.

As a result of the king's health situation, his 38-year-old son and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (commonly referred by his initials MBS) has postponed his visit to Japan, where&nbsp;he was scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the emperor Naruhito.

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This was supposed to be his first visit to Japan since 2019.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed the postponement, stating, "Saudi Arabia informed the Japanese government that due to the health condition of King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed's visit to Japan, which had been scheduled to begin on the 20th, had to be postponed."

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The crown prince had planned the trip from May 20-23.&nbsp;According to the latest royal statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), tests conducted on Sunday revealed a "lung infection".

The health of the monarch is not often publicly discussed.

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However, in April this year, the Royal Court announced that he had been admitted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital for routine check-ups and was discharged the same day.&nbsp;

King Salman had his gall bladder removed in 2020.

<h2>Hospitalisation for Colonoscopy</h2>

Previously, his last hospitalisation was in May 2022 for a colonoscopy, where he stayed for a little over a week for further tests.&nbsp;

In 2017, Riyadh dismissed increasing speculation that the king intended to abdicate in favour of Prince Mohammed.&nbsp;

Before becoming king, King Salman served for decades as the governor of Riyadh and later as the defence minister.

(With inputs from agencies)

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia is receiving treatment for lung inflammation at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah, reports said citing the state news agency.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia is receiving treatment for lung inflammation at Al Salam Palace in Jeddah, reports said citing the state news agency. The 88-year-old, who ascended the throne in 2015 following the death of his half-brother King Abdullah, will be administered antibiotics until his condition improves. This comes after King Salman on Sunday (May 19) underwent medical tests at the royal clinics at Al Salam Palace due to fever and joint pain. This follows a routine checkup in April when he was last admitted to the hospital. As a result of the king's health situation, his 38-year-old son and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (commonly referred by his initials MBS) has postponed his visit to Japan, where he was scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the emperor Naruhito. Also Read | China launches anti-dumping probe on POM copolymers This was supposed to be his first visit to Japan since 2019. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed the postponement, stating, "Saudi Arabia informed the Japanese government that due to the health condition of King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed's visit to Japan, which had been scheduled to begin on the 20th, had to be postponed." Also Read | Judge blocks Biden administration's effort to close 'gun show loophole' in Texas The crown prince had planned the trip from May 20-23. According to the latest royal statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), tests conducted on Sunday revealed a "lung infection". The health of the monarch is not often publicly discussed. Watch | Ebrahim Raisi News: Decoding Raisi's two-blade medium helicopter's capabilities × However, in April this year, the Royal Court announced that he had been admitted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital for routine check-ups and was discharged the same day. King Salman had his gall bladder removed in 2020. Hospitalisation for Colonoscopy Previously, his last hospitalisation was in May 2022 for a colonoscopy, where he stayed for a little over a week for further tests. In 2017, Riyadh dismissed increasing speculation that the king intended to abdicate in favour of Prince Mohammed. Before becoming king, King Salman served for decades as the governor of Riyadh and later as the defence minister. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi King Salman undergoes treatment for lung inflammation, Crown Prince postpones Japan visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on his three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, his first such visit to the biggest exporter of crude oil since 2016, reported the Saudi state media on Tuesday.&nbsp;Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to mark&nbsp;Xi's arrival by extending a lavish welcome. Diplomats in the region are saying that it may contrast starkly with the muted reception offered to US&nbsp;President Joe Biden in July.

During the visit, a bilateral summit chaired by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud&nbsp;will also be attended by the kingdom's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reported the official Saudi Press Agency.

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The state news agency stated that Xi will also take part in a summit which will be attended by the six-member Gulf Co-operation Council's rulers and hold talks with the leaders from the Middle East, stated the state news agency.

The tour of the Chinese leader coincides with the increased tensions between the United States and Saudi Arabia over issues like regional security, human rights and energy policy.

The partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia suffered the latest blow in October when the OPEC+ oil bloc decided to decrease crude oil production by two million barrels per day, a step the White House claimed amounted to "aligning with Russia" on the Ukraine war.

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In its latest meeting on Sunday, OPEC+ decided to keep those cuts unchanged. China is the biggest customer of Saudi Arabia's crude oil and has been purchasing around a quarter of the total exported Saudi oil.

According to analysts, the two leaders, apart from energy, will be discussing potential deals which can lead to Chinese firms'&nbsp;deeper involvement in mega-projects which are part of Prince Mohammed's vision of diversifying the economy of Saudi Arabia beyond oil.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on his three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, his first such visit to the biggest exporter of crude oil since 2016, reported the Saudi state media on Tuesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on his three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, his first such visit to the biggest exporter of crude oil since 2016, reported the Saudi state media on Tuesday. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to mark Xi's arrival by extending a lavish welcome. Diplomats in the region are saying that it may contrast starkly with the muted reception offered to US President Joe Biden in July. During the visit, a bilateral summit chaired by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will also be attended by the kingdom's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reported the official Saudi Press Agency. ALSO READ| China's former leader Hu Jintao makes first public appearance after dramatic Congress exit The state news agency stated that Xi will also take part in a summit which will be attended by the six-member Gulf Co-operation Council's rulers and hold talks with the leaders from the Middle East, stated the state news agency. The tour of the Chinese leader coincides with the increased tensions between the United States and Saudi Arabia over issues like regional security, human rights and energy policy. The partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia suffered the latest blow in October when the OPEC+ oil bloc decided to decrease crude oil production by two million barrels per day, a step the White House claimed amounted to "aligning with Russia" on the Ukraine war. ALSO READ| China may announce new COVID-19 easing measures on Wednesday: Report In its latest meeting on Sunday, OPEC+ decided to keep those cuts unchanged. China is the biggest customer of Saudi Arabia's crude oil and has been purchasing around a quarter of the total exported Saudi oil. According to analysts, the two leaders, apart from energy, will be discussing potential deals which can lead to Chinese firms' deeper involvement in mega-projects which are part of Prince Mohammed's vision of diversifying the economy of Saudi Arabia beyond oil. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Riyadh on Wednesday, will meet Saudi and Arab leaders

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia's&nbsp;King&nbsp;Salman invited&nbsp;Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to visit the kingdom, the emir's office said on Monday, the latest sign of improving relations between the former rivals.

Riyadh and allies broke off ties with&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;in June 2017 over claims it was too close to Iran and backed radical Islamist groups, allegations&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;has always denied.

But in January, the boycotting countries agreed to reestablish ties with&nbsp;Qatar&nbsp;following a flurry of diplomatic activity by former US president Donald Trump's administration.

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The emir received a letter from&nbsp;King&nbsp;Salman "including an invitation to visit"&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia, the emir's office said in a statement.

It did not say if Sheikh Tamim had accepted or when the visit would take place.

Sheikh Tamim last travelled to the kingdom in January for the summit, hosted by the&nbsp;king's son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, that led to Doha being readmitted to the regional fold.

He did not meet the&nbsp;king&nbsp;at that time.

The latest invitation was delivered by&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who is in Doha for meetings with his Qatari counterpart.

The two discussed "Gulf unity", according to&nbsp;Qatar's foreign ministry.&nbsp;

Since the reconciliation there have been cautious steps towards normality, including the resumption of air travel between the former adversaries and the reopening of&nbsp;Qatar's sole land border with&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman invited Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to visit the kingdom, the emir's office said on Monday, the latest sign of improving relations between the former rivals.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman invited Qatar's ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to visit the kingdom, the emir's office said on Monday, the latest sign of improving relations between the former rivals. Riyadh and allies broke off ties with Qatar in June 2017 over claims it was too close to Iran and backed radical Islamist groups, allegations Qatar has always denied. But in January, the boycotting countries agreed to reestablish ties with Qatar following a flurry of diplomatic activity by former US president Donald Trump's administration. Also read: Ramayana, Mahabharata to become part of Saudi Arabia's school curriculum The emir received a letter from King Salman "including an invitation to visit" Saudi Arabia, the emir's office said in a statement. It did not say if Sheikh Tamim had accepted or when the visit would take place. Sheikh Tamim last travelled to the kingdom in January for the summit, hosted by the king's son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, that led to Doha being readmitted to the regional fold. He did not meet the king at that time. The latest invitation was delivered by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who is in Doha for meetings with his Qatari counterpart. The two discussed "Gulf unity", according to Qatar's foreign ministry. Since the reconciliation there have been cautious steps towards normality, including the resumption of air travel between the former adversaries and the reopening of Qatar's sole land border with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi King invites Qatari Emir to visit: Emir's office