/ 3 April 2006

Zambian president in London for treatment

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa was on Monday being treated in a hospital in London after falling ill at the start of the weekend, news reports said on Monday.

Mwanawasa became ill on Friday in Zambia and had to be evacuated to London for treatment, the state-owned Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail reported on Monday.

The 57-year-old had been forced to cut short his election campaign to Zambia’s northern copper-belt province.

Mwanawasa was said to not be feeling well and was due to for a routine medical check-up.

He was later reported to have developed uncontrollably high blood pressure upon receiving news that the condition of his hospitalised sister had worsened and she would undergo major surgery.

Chief government spokesperson Vernon Mwaanga was quoted as saying Mwanawasa had been admitted to London hospital and that his condition was stable.

Mwaanga said there should not be any alarm as Mwanawasa was undergoing medical procedures and would return home soon. — Sapa-DPA