Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, offered assurances at a cabinet meeting on Monday about the health of King Abdullah  bin Abdulaziz (photo), who was hospitalised last week, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

Markets keep a close eye on the health of the King of the world's top oil exporter, a country that also has influence over Muslims through its guardianship of Islam's holiest sites.

“At the beginning of the session, the Crown Prince assured everyone on the health of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud,” SPA said.

The Royal Court said on January 2nd that King Abudullah, thought to be 91, was suffering from pneumonia and temporarily needed help to breathe through a tube. The procedure was successful and his condition was stable, the Royal Court said.

King Abdullah entered King Abdulaziz Medical City of National Guard in Riyadh on Wednesday 31 December 2014.

Source: Reuters; SPA; Photo Credit: SPA