Nigerian president in Saudi hospital (AFP)
29 minutes ago
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) - Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has been in a Saudi hospital for several days, a hospital official said on Sunday.
Yar'Adua has been at the King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, the administrative official told AFP without specifying his medical condition or the treatment he is undergoing.
Saudi military police were seen guarding the hospital, which is run by the Saudi defence ministry and where ruling family members and senior officials are usually treated.
Two Nigerian independent dailies said on Saturday that Yar'Adua, 57, is believed to have undergone surgery in Saudi Arabia.
Nigerian authorities have denied the president is out of the country to seek medical attention, saying he is on a religious pilgrimage.
Yar'Adua left Nigeria around 10 days ago for the Muslim lesser hajj, or umrah, which is performed in Mecca in Saudi Arabia, according to the government.
"The president is still performing the lesser hajj," Nigerian Information Minister John Odey told reporters on Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe said the president was well and would return to the country "anytime from now."
