Saudi King Fahd Hospitalized

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia was admitted to a hospital in Riyadh Monday for medical tests following a gall bladder infection, the royal court said.

Fahd, who is in his mid-70s, was taken to the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, according to a court statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. It gave no further information on his condition.

Fahd's health has been the source of much speculation since he suffered a stroke in November 1995 and temporarily handed the reins over to his half-brother, Abdullah, a couple of months later.

Crown Prince Abdullah is known to be far less pro-American than King Fahd, and has been critical of Washington's support for Israel. He essentially remains in command following the stroke that left Fahd with short-term memory loss and the inability to concentrate for any stretch of time.

Fahd, who is the head of the world's largest oil-producing nation, has suffered for years from diabetes and arthritis.

Since the stroke, Fahd has used a wheelchair and is able to take a few steps or stand up to meet visitors only with the help of a cane.

He was born in 1924 but the exact date is not known.