Turkish President Discharged from Hospital

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul on Saturday left hospital where he was being treated over the past nine days for an ear infection, and will be ready to resume work next week, Anatolia news agency reported.

The president has left the hospital in full health after he was hospitalized late on August 23 for inner ear problems, the agency reported, quoting his doctors.

But the head of state has had to cancel trips planned abroad for the next two months, notably to Sweden and the United States, because flying can cause problems for weak eardrums.

Gul, 61, had reassured his compatriots through Twitter that he was recovering, posting pictures of himself in pajamas reading documents on his hospital bed.

The president has suffered ear problems repeatedly in the past and was forced to shorten a trip to Kyrgyzstan last week because of his ill health.

The president has been advised to have a day-long rest at home before resuming work Monday, according to Anatolia.