The health status of Saudi Arabia's King Abudullah remains questionable as no reports have been published on his recovery after he underwent a second surgery in a US hospital, Press TV reported.
King Abdullah was hospitalized at New York City's Presbyterian Hospital on November 22 for a debilitating herniated disc, complicated by a hematoma that put pressure on his spine.
The kingdom's Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah had pointed out that the state of the monarch's health was "very reassuring" following the first operation on his disc.
Earlier in the month, US surgeons performed another operation on King Abdullah's back, which was reported to have gone smoothly.
The monarch has left his half-brother, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, suspected of suffering from cancer, at the helm.
The prolonged recovery of the Saudi ruler has raised doubts about King Abdullah's succession.
It could also affect the replacement of the longstanding Saudi oil Minister Ali al-Naimi, who must first win the monarch's blessing.