Baghdad (AFP) – Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is in a “stable” condition after a “health emergency” that saw him admitted to a Baghdad hospital, his office said on Tuesday.
“Bodily functions are normal and the health condition of his excellency the president is stable,” a statement posted on the presidency’s website said, adding that the emergency was due to hardening of the arteries.
An earlier statement said that “due to fatigue and tiredness, [Talabani] had a health emergency and was transported… to the hospital in Baghdad” on Monday night.
Iraqiya state television meanwhile reported that Talabani had suffered a stroke, and said a medical team was working to stabilise his condition.
Talabani has struggled with various health problems in recent years.
He underwent successful heart surgery in the United States in August 2008, and a year earlier had to be evacuated to neighbouring Jordan to be treated for dehydration and exhaustion.
He has also travelled to the United States and Europe for treatment for a variety of ailments.
