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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, November 20, 2003

Mubarak taken ill during speech in Parliament

CAIRO - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak suffered what a television announcer called a 'health crisis', which halted a nationally televised speech for 45 minutes yesterday.


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CAIRO - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak suffered what a television announcer called a 'health crisis', which halted a nationally televised speech for 45 minutes yesterday.

But he returned to cheers and resumed his remarks to Parliament without referring to the interruption.

After his return, he spoke for less than five minutes, and then adjourned the session.

Information Minister Safwat al-Sherif said on television that the 75-year-old President was suffering from 'a severe flu', and that he was taking antibiotics and fasting for Ramadan as well.

Before the interruption, his voice had begun to weaken and his speech sounded slurred. He was seen coughing and wiping perspiration just before state television cut the broadcast of his speech.

Though pale-looking, his voice was stronger when he returned and he responded to shouts of support from MPs with smiles, waves and thanks before returning to his speech on domestic and foreign policy, which appeared to have been cut short.

Mr Mubarak has led Egypt since Mr Anwar Sadat was assassinated on Oct 6, 1981. He was the late Mr Sadat's vice-president.

Lawmaker Murtaza Mansour said Mr Mubarak had complained the hall was hot and was sweating before his speech was interrupted. He said the President was able to walk away from the podium without aid.

Minister of Health Mohamed Awad Tag Eddin, who is a doctor, told state television that Mr Mubarak had a cold and suffered a slight dip in blood pressure. The minister said the President underwent a checkup before resuming his speech.

Source: Agencies


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