Defence Minister’s condition “serious but stable”

Defence Minister Nicos Symeonides was in a serious but stable condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the Nicosia Generall Hospital this morning, after suffering a small heart attack while undergoing a biopsy on his lungs.
The 68-year-old minister was admitted to hospital last Friday with symptoms of pneumonia. He was put on a respirator at the Intensive Care Unit.
Specialists from Greece and Israel joined their Cypriot colleagues to determine the cause of Symeonides’ illeness and decide his treatment.
Health Minister Charis Charalambous described Symeonides’ condition as “serious but stable”.
President Tassos Papadopoulos is being constantly informed of his minister’s condition. He said last night that doctors had expressed concern over the deterioration of the Defence Minister’s condition.