Iraq's President Jalal Talabani is in a stable condition in a Baghdad hospital and is being treated for hardened arteries, according to a statement from his office on Tuesday.

“Tests show that his bodily functions are normal and his excellency's condition is stable,” the statement said. “He is under intensive medical supervision.”

A senior source in Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK party had earlier said the president, who is 79, was admitted to hospital for exhaustion.


“A specialized medical team is taking care of him and a report will be issued later,” the statement from the presidential office said.