Saudi king to tour northern region next week

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia's King Salman will resume a domestic tour next week, the royal court said on Tuesday.

The king, 82, will meet citizens and launch development projects in northern areas including Waad al-Shamal industrial city, according to a statement carried by state news agency SPA.

Last week, King Salman visited Qassim and Hail provinces, north of the capital Riyadh. He was accompanied for parts of that trip by his favourite son and heir apparent Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The tours are the latest public outreach by the king, apparently intended to shore up the power of the crown prince, who has taken over day-to-day rule.