Indonesia's Suharto 'recovering'

Suharto has been dogged by ill health in recent years

Former Indonesian President Suharto has regained consciousness and is recovering well after surgery, according to his doctors.

Mr Suharto, 84, underwent a four-hour operation to try to stop intestinal bleeding on Sunday.

Doctors say the next week will be critical and he may have to remain in hospital for at least two more weeks.

Mr Suharto has been dogged by ill health since his forced resignation in 1998, after 32 years in power.

"The first day after surgery, Suharto's condition is getting well. The vital signals are stable," Mardjo Soebiandono, one of his doctors said.

The former dictator was taken to Pertamina hospital in Jakarta on Thursday night.

RISE AND FALL OF SUHARTO Born in Java, June 1921 As army minister, plays a central role in helping Sukarno overcome a coup in 1965 Becomes president March 1967 Modernisation programmes in the 70s and 80s raise living standards East Timor forcibly annexed in late 1975 Asian economic crisis of the 1990s hits Indonesian economy Spiralling prices and discontent force him to resign in May 1998 Judges rule he is unfit to stand trial for corruption in 2000

He had complained of feeling "weak", and was given blood transfusions to stabilise him after he suffered partial organ failure.

Doctors had to remove a 25 inch (40cm) long section of intestine during the operation.

This is the fourth time since May 2004 that he has been admitted to hospital for intestinal bleeding.

Mr Suharto was indicted on corruption charges six years ago, but his lawyers have consistently argued that he is too ill to stand trial.

Last month, the Indonesian attorney-general asked doctors to re-examine Mr Suharto to see whether his health had improved enough for him to stand trial.