Nelson Mandela, 94, rushed to hospital in a 'serious' condition.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela was rushed to hospital in a 'serious' condition today following a recurrence of the lung infection that has plagued him in recent months.
The 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader, whose health has been failing in recent years, has been hospitalised three times since December.
Mandela was said to be in 'good spirits' but the situation was 'serious this time', a government spokesman told a South African news channel today.

'The situation is serious this time but doctors have assured us he is comfortable,' presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj told television station eNCA.

Mr Maharaj said members of Mandela's family had accompanied him to the hospital in Pretoria and remained at his bedside.
His wife, Graca Machel, cancelled a scheduled appearance at a hunger summit in London today to remain at her husband's side.

The wording of the government statement, in particular the use of the word 'serious', is clear cause for concern to South Africa's 53 million people, for whom Mandela remains a potent symbol of the struggle against decades of white-minority rule.

Mandela has been vulnerable to respiratory problems since contracting tuberculosis during his 27 years behind bars under apartheid.
Doctors treat the matter with great caution, Mr Maharaj told the BBC, and Mandela is admitted to hospital 'as necessary' to give him the best opportunity to recover.

'He has been in good spirits. He is a fighter and he will be with us as long as he is there fighting,' Mr Maharaj added.
He told Sky News the former leader was conscious, 'able to breathe on his own', and 'communicating' with relatives at his bedside.
An earlier statement from the office of President Jacob Zuma said: 'During the past few days, former President Nelson Mandela has had a recurrence of a lung infection.

'This morning at about 1.30am, his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a Pretoria hospital.'
The statement said Mandela remains in a 'serious but stable' condition.
It said Mandela, who will celebrate his 95th birthday next month, was receiving expert medical care and 'doctors are doing everything possible to make him better and comfortable'.
Zuma wished Mandela a quick recovery on behalf of the government and the nation and called for the former leader's privacy to be respected.