Minister: Mandela Fine after Minor Diagnostic Procedure

Nelson Mandela is fine after a minor diagnostic procedure to probe persistent abdominal pain, South Africa's defense minister said Sunday as the country anxiously awaited his release from hospital.

The 93-year-old former president was hospitalized Saturday for what President Jacob Zuma's office described as "a long-standing abdominal complaint,” putting South Africa on edge over the increasingly frail health of its beloved icon.

Defense Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, whose ministry is charged with Mandela's health care, said the anti-apartheid hero had undergone diagnostic laparoscopy, a procedure in which doctors probe the abdominal area using a tiny camera.

"He's fine, he is recovering from anesthetic and he is as fine as can be at his age. He is fine and handsome," Sisulu told a press conference in Cape Town.

"If we had it our way, he would be home by now because he is fine."

Secretary for defense Sam Gulube, a doctor, told Agence France Presse the procedure was regarded as non-invasive or minimally invasive and "simply means examination of the abdomen using a camera." He said Mandela was not operated on.

South African President Jacob Zuma had said Saturday that Mandela would be discharged either Sunday or Monday, but neither Sisulu nor Zuma's office had an update on his release Sunday morning.

"Let's work on the basis that no news is good news," presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj told the Sapa news agency.

"Doctors are thinking of releasing him today or tomorrow, but I'm sure they will want to err on the side of caution."