Suharto's health state 'critical'

Mr Suharto, 86, was taken to hospital on Friday with symptoms of anaemia and low blood pressure. He deteriorated that night but has since stabilised.

He has been put on kidney dialysis and needs a second pacemaker operation.

Mr Suharto took power in 1966 and ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for a total of 32 years.

He and his family deny reports that they stole billions of dollars while he was in power.

High-profile visitors

President Yudhoyono was speaking after visiting Mr Suharto on Saturday.

RISE AND FALL OF SUHARTO

• Born in Java, June 1921
• Comes to power in 1965 after alleged Communist coup attempt
• Formally replaces Sukarno as president in March 1967
• Modernisation programmes in the 70s and 80s raise living standards
• East Timor invaded 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
• Transparency International says he tops the world all-time corruption table in March 2004

"The team of presidential doctors... explained that his condition is critical. We have to do what we can do to restore his health. We should pray for the best," he said.

Some 40 medical specialists are said to have been assembled to assist with Mr Suharto's care.

His six children and officials from his era in power were reportedly among the stream of high-profile visitors to his bedside in hospital.

Mr Suharto has lived quietly in Jakarta since being overthrown in 1998 amid political upheaval and an economic crisis.

But although accused of embezzling huge sums from state funds during his three decades in power, his lawyers have always successfully pleaded that his failing health meant he should not stand trial.

Mr Suharto has been in and out of hospital in recent years with a series of health problems, including a stroke.