Islam Times - ‘Chavez in good physical condition after operation’

Islam Times - The Venezuelan government says President Hugo Chavez is in good physical condition after surgeons totally removed a lesion from his pelvis during an operation in Cuba.

"President Chavez is in good physical condition...The diagnosed pelvic lesion was extracted completely along with the surrounding tissue. There were no complications relating to his local organs," Venezuelan Vice President Elias Jaua said on Thursday.

The 57-year-old underwent a reportedly 90-minute-long surgery at Havana's Cimeq Hospital on Monday night.

Last week, he returned to the Cuban capital for more treatment after he was diagnosed with a two-centimeter-long lesion in the same part of his body, from which a cancerous tumor was removed in 2011.

"The immediate post-operative period was clinically stable, without systemic complications. He is recovering correctly," Jaua added.

Before his trip to Havana, Venezuela’s socialist leader received messages of solicitude and support from Presidents Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, Francisco Mujica of Uruguay, Evo Morales of Bolivia, and Cristina Fernandez of Argentina.

The popular leader, who came to power in 1999, is seeking another six-year-long term in the upcoming presidential elections to be held on October 7, 2012.