Mahathir to leave hospital

Mahathir to leave hospital

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is expected to leave hospital early next week after treatment for bronchitis, a hospital spokeswoman said on Saturday.

"He is doing very well but he needs to rest for a few more days," said the spokeswoman for the National Heart Institute, where Mahathir was taken on April 2 with a lung infection.

"He is likely to be discharged early next week," she said.

A Mahathir aide said on Friday that the 73-year-old leader may be allowed to return home this weekend. The spokeswoman said Mahathir was walking around and talking with other hospital patients.

After being hospitalized, Mahathir was not seen by the public until he said on state television on Thursday evening from the institute that he was feeling better and hoped to return to work soon.