Saudi Arabia's King Salman ordered the suspension of a columnist who wrote an article praising him "with God-like attributes" last week, Gulf News reported.
In his column, published in Saudi daily Al Jazirah on Friday, Ramadan al-Anzi reportedly referred to the ruler as “Haleem” and “Shadeed al-Eqab" - words that are used to describe God in the Holy Quran.
King Salman also ordered action against the daily, Saudi news site Sabq reported.
In a letter to Information Minister Awad Bin Saleh Al Awad, King Salman expressed his shock over the headline and the expressions used to describe him.
“Such a matter has disturbed us and we cannot accept or tolerate it. We do not want it and we do not acknowledge it. We are well aware of the seriousness and danger of being lenient towards it,” he said.
“All newspapers and media should be fully aware that such matters must not be published and that all those who do not comply will be held accountable," he added.
Al Jazirah newspaper issues an apology
Saudi daily Al Jazirah issued an apology on July 1st, soon after King Salman declared his orders.
In a statement posted to their social media accounts, newspaper officials expressed regret over what they described was "an unintentional mistake."
"We understand that both the headline used for the article and its content are not acceptable," the statement read.
"We retract the article and apologize for it."