Mandela will spend Christmas in the hospital

Mandela's hospital stay extended: Former South African President Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel. IMAGE

AP Photo: Elmond Jiyane-GCIS, File. Mandela's hospital stay extended: Former South African President Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel. IMAGE

12/24/12 By Christopher Torchia

South Africa's first black president and famed anti-apartheid fighter is recovering from a lung infection and gallstone surgery.

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa's presidency says former leader Nelson Mandela will spend Christmas Day in hospital.

The presidency says in a statement that Mandela's doctors confirmed the news Monday. The anti-apartheid figure was admitted Dec. 8 to a hospital in Pretoria, the South African capital. He was diagnosed with a lung infection and had a procedure to remove gallstones. Officials have said Mandela is improving and is responding to treatment.

South African President Jacob Zuma says the whole country is behind Mandela and he is urging people to keep the former president in their thoughts on Christmas Day and throughout the holiday season. Zuma describes Mandela, who was imprisoned under apartheid for 27 years, as an "ardent fighter."

MSN News on Facebook and Twitter

Stay up to date on breaking news and current events.

Friend us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/news.msn

Lorna Elizabeth Colbert was a homemaker and mother to 11 children, including political satirist Stephen Colbert and former congressional candidate Elizabeth Colbert Busch.

Officials from OSHA will be joining the investigation of a chemical plant explosion Friday in Louisiana that killed one worker and injured several others.