Mandela In 'Serious But Stable' Condition In Hospital

Antiapartheid leader Nelson Mandela

The South African government says former President Nelson Mandela is in a "serious but stable" condition in hospital.

The government said in a statement that Mandela was taken to a hospital in Pretoria to be treated for a recurring lung infection after his condition deteriorated early on June 8.

Mandela, who is 94, has received hospital treatment several times in recent months.

The antiapartheid hero, who was imprisoned for 27 years by South Africa's white racist regime, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and became his country's first black president in 1994.

He remains widely revered both in his country and internationally for promoting racial reconciliation after decades of apartheid.

Mandela, whose health has been failing, has rarely been seen in public in recent years.

Based in reporting by Reuters, AP, and BBC