King Fahd of Saudi Arabia is taken to hospital

King Fahd of &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/war/2003/03/05/44027.html ' target=_blank>Saudi Arabia was in a stable condition today, medical officials said, a day after the monarch was taken to hospital for unspecified medical tests.

Wherever groups of people gathered in the capital &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/columnists/2002/07/30/33479.html ' target=_blank>Riyadh, they discussed the king’s health. Newspapers carried it as front-page news, some pointing out that no state of emergency had been declared despite reports the day before, reports the Scotsman.

Life was normal in the capital, with offices, schools and shops open and no extra security presence visible. A previously scheduled meeting of Gulf Co-operation Council heads of state was going ahead as planned, officials said.