Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam, 69, collapsed unconscious on Sunday as he was giving a speech in Tripoli, northern Lebanon.

Lebanese and Syrian state television said he was in satisfactory condition, after earlier reports that he had suffered heart problems.

Lebanese tourism minister Karam Karam, also a doctor, said that Khaddam's fainting fit resulted from indigestion and that his heart was in good condition.

He had recovered consciousness and was expected to leave hospital within hours after reassuring tests, Karam said.

Another Lebanese minister who preferred not to be name told private news agency after visiting Khaddam in hospital, he suffered a sharp drop in blood pressure and blood sugar level, but he is better now, he added.

“I am sorry but I can not continue my speech, Khaddam said before sliding to the floor while addressing tens of thousands of people at a rally.”
He was taken by ambulance to Tripoli's Nini hospital, here Lebanon's future television, owned by prime minister Rafiq Hariri, a personal friend of Khaddam, quoted sources as saying he had Suffered sudden heart problems and a sharp fall in blood pressure. Bureau Report