RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (BNO NEWS) -- Saudi Arabian King Abdullah on Wednesday returned to Riyahd from Casablanca, Morocco and announced new benefits fro citizens, the state-run SPA news agency reported.

King Abdullah arrived at King Khalid International airport after spending some time in the Moroccan capital to recover from back surgery. He was welcomed by a delegation of ministers and officials including Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz and Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz.

"King Abdullah has been following the country’s internal and external affairs throughout his stay abroad. He has always been enquiring about the condition of citizens and delivering directives to meet their needs," said Crown Prince Sultan Aziz.

Upon his return, King Abdullah announced the eleventh decree which granted rights and financial benefits for citizens; including compensation for employees in case of death, disability or handicap that prevents them from continue working between $16,000 to $26,600.

In addition, state employees will be given a 15 percent pay rise as well as injecting $10.7 billion to Saudi Arabia's development fund which grants loans to citizens for opening small businesses, acquiring a residence or getting married.

In November 2010, King Abdullah underwent successful back surgery in order to treat a slipped disc and a blood clot that was pressing on the nerves in his back. The 86-year-old Saudi Arabian leader was treated at the New York Presbyterian Hospital.

The royal Al Saud family has ruled Saudi Arabia for the last 60 years. King Abdullah is the 13th son of King Abdulaziz and came to power in 2005 after the death of King Fahd.

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)