Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah arrives at the royal palace with Prince Mit'eb Bin Abdullah after leaving King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh Thursday afternoon. — Okaz photo Abdullah Al-Harithy Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's prime concern is citizens' welfare and this is reflected in his action on resuming office soon after leaving hospital, said Prince Mit'eb Bin Abdullah, Cabinet Member, Minister of State and Commander of the National Guard. On the very day that King Abdullah resumed office after leaving the hospital, he immediately began looking into citizen welfare reports and petitions, the prince said. In a telephone conversation, Prince Mit'eb said the King had been constantly inquiring about citizens' affairs and their welfare during his hospitalization. He said during his every visit the King asked him about the conditions of citizens and sought quick solutions to their problems. He thanked the citizens for their noble feelings and great love they showed to the nation's leader. This reciprocated feelings of love, trust and concern show the great coherence between the King and his people. He said the King approved the awarding of King Abdul Aziz First-Class Medal to three doctors in recognition of their efforts and top class care during his hospitalization. Prince Mit'eb expressed his deepest gratitude to Almighty Allah for his father's recovery. The King's recovery has delighted all citizens, who had been praying for his quick recovery. Prince Mit'eb said the King has strong faith in God and draws strength from his absolute reliance on Him. “His dependence on Allah was not only in the operation or in different stages of his treatment but in all affairs of life. He believes in Allah's power to predetermine everything.” He said throughout the King's stay in hospitals he used to say his treatment and recovery was in God's hand and then by the supplication of his sons and daughters — the citizens. Prince Mit'eb said he will never forget what the King said to the princes when he had received them post operation —“Who am I were it not for Allah and the citizens' prayers?” Prince Mit'eb said in every work and step and whenever he embarks on a car drive or a plane trip he utters the words, “I depend on God.” “This is one of the things we have learned from our father,” he added. About his schedule after leaving hospital, Prince Mit'eb said the King did not give them a chance to request that he takes rest after the operation. “He resumed his schedule quickly. He always insists on work.” Prince Mit'eb said he called the Chief of the Royal Protocol Khaled Al-Tuwaijeri to inquire about the King on the day he resumed his duties. Al-Tuwaijeri told him that the King had asked him to bring him all pending files and petitions to process them. This shows that he was serious in resuming his duties the very first day of his being discharged from hospital without taking any time for convalescence, the prince said, adding: “This has always been his habit.” On citizens who thronged to the camp to inquire about the King's health, the prince said this touched him very much. Their visits delighted him because they reflected their noble feelings toward him. Prince Mit'eb extended his thanks to everyone who traveled from the length and breadth of the Kingdom and outside to inquire about the well-being of their King. This embodied the sons' love for the father, which is an inherent characteristic that can't be forced. On the medal he awarded to the three doctors, the prince said the King bestows this honor to any individual who deserves it. He awarded this great medal to them in appreciation of their hard work, excellent reputation and good deeds. Asked why the King selected King Abdulaziz Medical City for his treatment, Prince Mit'eb said the King was keen on receiving treatment in the medical city he built and has cared for. He had been following its development until it became an integrated medical city. He said the members of the medical team who operated on the King comprised Saudi doctors and nurses. “Thus, he was surrounded by his loving sons and daughters. He has great confidence in Saudi doctors. He is proud of them and wants them in the top class,” said Prince Mit'eb. Meanwhile, a number of government officials expressed their happiness over King Abdullah's recovery. Prince Turki Bin Nasser, head of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, said the joy that filled the hearts of the entire nation reflects the cordial relationship between the country's leadership and people. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, President of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs, congratulated the King on his leaving hospital and returning to work.
