A senior Saudi official confirmed here Sunday that the condition of King Fahd Bin Abdul-aziz, who is in hospital for medical tests, is "steadily improving", the official SPA agency reported.

"Thanks to God, his health is constantly improving," three days after he was taken to hospital with pneumonia and respiratory complications, Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdel Aziz told reporters

The minister gave no more details.

Officials concerned said the king's condition was stable on Sunday and he is still being treated for respiratory difficulties.

He was suffering from high fever, pneumonia and respiratory complications from water in his lungs, they added.

King Fahd was admitted at King Faisal hospital in Riyadh Friday evening.

"The necessary medical tests were carried out and they all showed that his health condition is stable and reassuring, thank God. More examinations will be conducted at a later stage," a royal statement said on Saturday night, without elaborating.

Saudi Arabia, which has the world's largest proven crude reserves, has been ruled by Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul-aziz since 1995, when the health of the 83-year-old wheelchair-bound king has been frail since he suffered a stroke.

Source: Xinhua