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Syrian vice president collapses in middle of speech
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