RIYADH, Dec 27: King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is to make a tour of China, India and Pakistan in January, his first trip outside the region since taking office in August, diplomatic sources told AFP on Tuesday. “The tour will happen in the last week of January and comes in response to invitations made by the leaders of these countries to the Saudi king,” the sources said.

King Abdullah, who took over the helm of the kingdom from king Fahd in August, visited China and Pakistan during his decade as crown prince.

—AFP