Suharto health improves slightly

His heart is working better, though there are continuing concerns about his lungs and kidneys.

The 86-year-old former president went into hospital in Jakarta on 4 January.

He ruled Indonesia with an iron fist for 32 years. He and his family deny allegations that he siphoned off billions of dollars while in power.

Suharto's health had shown signs of improvement on Saturday, but worsened again on Sunday.

His chief doctor, Marjo Soebiandono, told journalists on Monday doctors were amazed at how strong he was.

"If I was in the same state I don't think I would have made it this far," he said.

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

Life in pictures

Suharto has had a series of high-profile visitors in hospital, including the former prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, who is a friend and contemporary.

Mr Lee was one of the people who advised Mr Suharto to step down in 1998.

Suharto supporters credit him with leading his country from poverty to relative prosperity, but he is also accused of repression and responsibility for severe human rights abuses, as well as corruption.

However, he never faced trial on any of these allegations - his lawyers argued that he was too ill.

He has been in and out of hospital in recent years with a series of strokes and other illnesses.