Saudi King returns with promises of social aid

A ceremony has been laid on in the Saudi capital to welcome home king Abdullah after three months abroad for medical treatment.

The monarch returned as protests over poverty, corruption and repression hit many Arab countries.

Upon his return, the King was quick to unveil a series of benefits for his people worth an estimated 30 billion euros.

The action plan includes funding to help create jobs for young people and affordable housing, two of the kingdom’s major social issues.

Hundreds of people have backed a Facebook campaign calling for a day of rage across Saudi Arabia next month to demand, among other things, an elected ruler and greater freedom.

But analysts do not expect unrest like in Egypt or Tunisia in this oil-rich country although they do say urgent social issues need to be addressed.

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