Ping, a veteran diplomat from Gabon who assumed his post earlier this year, was suffering from exhaustion but his life was not in danger, diplomats said.

"Mr Ping is out of danger after a minor and passing illness that is absolutely not serious," El-Ghassim Wane, a spokesman for the African Union, told AFP in Addis Ababa.

An African diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Ping was suffering from exhaustion.

"For the moment, it's nothing serious but Mr Ping needs to rest for a few days to undergo medical check-ups," the diplomat said.

Ping was rushed from the summit venue - the mountain resort town of Toyako - to the closest major city of Sapporo, some 150 kilometres northeast of here.

Ping was taking part in a special session yesterday on Africa.

Nampa-AFP

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