South African President Says Mandela is Responding to Treatment

(Reuters)—South African President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday he was happy with Nelson Mandela's progress, following what he called a "difficult few days" for the 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero who is being treated in hospital for a recurring lung infection.

Mandela, South Africa's first black president who ruled from 1994 to 1999, was admitted to a Pretoria hospital on Saturday in a serious but stable condition, his fourth hospital stay since December.

"We fully understand and appreciate the global interest in this world icon," Zuma said in a scheduled, budget-related speech to parliament.

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