Egypt TV shows first pictures of president following operation in German hospital

First post-op pics of Egyptian president issued

CAIRO — The first video images of Egypt’s president since his operation appeared Tuesday on state television as a government spokesman said he would address the nation by the end of week.

The Information Ministry also issued pictures taken Tuesday of him sitting with his doctors at the German hospital.

The video aired on state television showed him in the same setting with the doctors moving his hands.

Aly Eddin Hilal of the ruling party told the state news agency the president was making good progress after receiving surgery to remove his gall bladder and a benign growth in the lining of his small intestine.

State-owned media in Egypt have remained consistently upbeat about the president’s health since the operation March 6, but the lack of images of Mubarak following the operation prompted a swirl of rumors about his condition.

Mubarak’s term in office ends next year. Concern about his health have prompted speculation about the leadership of the U.S. ally, which plays a critical role in issues ranging from Mideast peace efforts to curbing Islamic militancy