Mandela in "critical but stable condition": Zuma

JOHANNESBURG: Nelson Mandela remains in a critical but stable condition, South African President Jacob Zuma said Tuesday, more than two months after the anti-apartheid hero was hospitalised with a recurring lung infection.

"Former president Mandela is still in hospital receiving treatment and remains in a critical but stable condition," Zuma said in speech issued by the presidency.

Mandela, 95, has been receiving treatment for a recurring respiratory illness at a private hospital in the capital Pretoria since June 8.

He was previously said to be on life support, but his condition has been lately described as serious but improving.

Early this month, his former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela told Sky News that he was "now breathing normally" and that doctors had kept draining fluid from his lungs.

Zuma gave the latest health update during a visit to Malaysia, where he received an award on Mandela's behalf.