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Nelson Mandela taken to hospital with abdominal complaint Nelson Mandela taken to hospital with abdominal complaint
(40 minutes later)
Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela has been taken to hospital.Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela has been taken to hospital.
Officials said he was suffering from a "long-standing abdominal complaint" which doctors felt needed "proper specialist medical attention".Officials said he was suffering from a "long-standing abdominal complaint" which doctors felt needed "proper specialist medical attention".
A spokesman for current President Jacob Zuma said the former leader, affectionately known as Madiba, was "in good spirits and well".
The 93-year-old statesman and anti-apartheid icon has suffered declining health in recent years.The 93-year-old statesman and anti-apartheid icon has suffered declining health in recent years.
South African President Jacob Zuma's office said the "love and good wishes of all South Africans and people throughout the world" were with him. Mr Zuma's office said the "love and good wishes of all South Africans and people throughout the world" were with him.
In a statement, he asked for Mr Mandela and his family to be given privacy. In a statement, Mr Zuma asked for Mr Mandela and his family to be given privacy.
The statement did not say which hospital he had been taken to, but it is believed to be in Johannesburg. This issue came out of the blue, which will alarm some people. But at the same time the presidency, which is trying to control the flow of information surrounding Nelson Mandela's health, has said it was a long-standing medical complaint, so that may reassure others.
The BBC's Karen Allen in Johannesburg says he is believed to have undergone surgery overnight. The presidency frankly admits that last year - when Mr Mandela was taken to hospital with what turned out to be acute respiratory infection - the flow of information was very badly handled. It led to a lot of rumours and panic, here in South Africa and around the world.
He received treatment in Johannesburg's Milpark hospital last year for a serious chest infection. So this time they are trying to control it more. They are, at this stage, ahead of Twitter and internet rumours. We just have to be patient and hope that in the coming hours they do release more information.
Mr Mandela returned to the city last month from his rural home in the Eastern Cape.
The statement did not say which hospital he had been admitted to but there are suggestions it was a military hospital in the capital, Pretoria.
Mr Mandela returned to Johannesburg last month from his rural home in the Eastern Cape and in January last year, he received treatment in the city's Milpark hospital for a serious chest infection.
"I can assure you that the former president is in good spirits and well," said presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj.
He told the BBC that further information would be released once Mr Zuma and the Mandela family had received a full medical report from doctors, but that the 93-year-old's life was not in danger.
"This was a long-standing complaint - nothing that cropped up suddenly and needed emergency attention," said Mr Maharaj.
"But it is an issue that the doctors treating him felt needed specialist attention, and so arragements were made accordingly."
He would not confirm reports that Mr Mandela had undergone surgery for a hernia overnight, and appealed for "co-operation from the public and the media so we manage this thing properly".
Nobel prizeNobel prize
A spokesman for Mr Zuma said regular updates on Mr Mandela's health would be issued.
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg says the government is clearly keen to control the flow of information, after previous alerts about the former leader's health have been the subject of much speculation.The BBC's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg says the government is clearly keen to control the flow of information, after previous alerts about the former leader's health have been the subject of much speculation.
Mr Mandela retired from public life eight years ago - his last public appearance was at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.Mr Mandela retired from public life eight years ago - his last public appearance was at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner is affectionately known in South Africa as Madiba.The Nobel Peace Prize winner is affectionately known in South Africa as Madiba.
He spent 27 years in prison for his actions against the apartheid regime before being released in 1990.He spent 27 years in prison for his actions against the apartheid regime before being released in 1990.
In 1994, he became South Africa's first black president, stepping down in 1999 after one term.In 1994, he became South Africa's first black president, stepping down in 1999 after one term.