RIYADH, Jan 17: King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia will start his first tour outside the Middle East on Sunday with visits to China, India, Malaysia and Pakistan, officials said on Tuesday.
King Abdullah, who took over the helm of the Gulf kingdom from the late king Fahd in August, will travel on Jan 22 to China — the world’s largest oil consumer, a senior Saudi official said.
The king was due to visit India on Jan 25, Malaysia on Jan 29 and Pakistan in early February, he said.
The Asian tour will be King Abdullah’s first trip outside the region since succeeding to the throne after the death of King Fahd.—AFP
