GERMANY: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak arrived in Germany yesterday for an operation in a Munich hospital for a slipped disc.
During the operation, scheduled for today, surgeons will insert a microscopic endoscope in Mr Mubarak's lower back to remove displaced cartilage, doctors in Egypt said on Saturday.
It is normally a simple procedure and expected to last just 40 minutes. But it follows persistent rumours about the health of the 76-year-old Egyptian president who has ruled the Arab world's most populous country since 1981.
Mr Mubarak delegated his powers to Prime Minister Atef Obeid yesterday during his absence.
"Prime Minister Atef Obeid will take up the constitutional and legal powers and jurisdictions of the president of the republic until he returns," state television said.