Mwanawasa not dead: Zambian govt

LUSAKA – Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa remained in intensive care in a French hospital yesterday after suffering a stroke earlier this week, his government said, denying reports that he had died.

Information Minister Mike Mulongoti told state radio and television that Mwanawasa (59) was responding well to treatment and that doctors were happy with his progress. He was being treated at Percy-Clamart military hospital outside Paris after suffering a stroke while attending an African Union summit in Egypt.”The president still remains in the intensive care unit but he is responding well to treatment.He has made steady progress,” Mulongoti said.He described reports that the Zambian leader had died as “malicious”.Varying reports on his condition led to confusion even at the top of South Africa’s government, with President Thabo Mbeki commenting at a public ceremony yesterday that he had been told Mwanawasa had died.Mbeki called for a minute’s silence while attending a remembrance ceremony in Pretoria for victims of a recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.South Africa’s foreign ministry issued a statement soon after saying there had been a “misunderstanding” and that the “government has been informed that President Mwanawasa has not passed on”.In France, questioned on reports that the president had died, a French foreign ministry spokesman said: “No, I am not in a position to confirm it.”Frederic Desagneaux added: “I confirm to you …that President Levy Mwanawasa is currently being cared for at the Percy-Clamart military hospital.”He said it was for the Zambian authorities to give updates on his condition.Earlier yesterday, Zambian Vice President Rupiah Banda described Mwanawasa’s condition as “stable”, adding that he was being treated in intensive care for hypertension.The president’s illness has provoked an outpouring of support among Zambians, including his political rivals.”We want him back to complete his projects,” said Michael Sata, an ardent critic of Mwanawasa.It is the second stroke the Zambian leader has suffered in two years.Late Wednesday, several thousand Zambians packed the country’s biggest cathedral in the capital for special prayers.During the church service, many wept when Banda informed the church that Mwanawasa was still in the intensive care unit.”There is hope that God will heal our president.A miracle will happen and he will return to our country,” Banda said.In the case of the death of a Zambian president, the vice president is constitutionally mandated to take over for three months and organise fresh presidential elections.Nampa-AFPHe was being treated at Percy-Clamart military hospital outside Paris after suffering a stroke while attending an African Union summit in Egypt.”The president still remains in the intensive care unit but he is responding well to treatment.He has made steady progress,” Mulongoti said.He described reports that the Zambian leader had died as “malicious”.Varying reports on his condition led to confusion even at the top of South Africa’s government, with President Thabo Mbeki commenting at a public ceremony yesterday that he had been told Mwanawasa had died. Mbeki called for a minute’s silence while attending a remembrance ceremony in Pretoria for victims of a recent wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.South Africa’s foreign ministry issued a statement soon after saying there had been a “misunderstanding” and that the “government has been informed that President Mwanawasa has not passed on”.In France, questioned on reports that the president had died, a French foreign ministry spokesman said: “No, I am not in a position to confirm it.”Frederic Desagneaux added: “I confirm to you …that President Levy Mwanawasa is currently being cared for at the Percy-Clamart military hospital.”He said it was for the Zambian authorities to give updates on his condition.Earlier yesterday, Zambian Vice President Rupiah Banda described Mwanawasa’s condition as “stable”, adding that he was being treated in intensive care for hypertension.The president’s illness has provoked an outpouring of support among Zambians, including his political rivals.”We want him back to complete his projects,” said Michael Sata, an ardent critic of Mwanawasa.It is the second stroke the Zambian leader has suffered in two years.Late Wednesday, several thousand Zambians packed the country’s biggest cathedral in the capital for special prayers.During the church service, many wept when Banda informed the church that Mwanawasa was still in the intensive care unit.”There is hope that God will heal our president.A miracle will happen and he will return to our country,” Banda said.In the case of the death of a Zambian president, the vice president is constitutionally mandated to take over for three months and organise fresh presidential elections.Nampa-AFP