Maltese president faints at funeral, hospitalised

Maltese President George Abela was under observation in hospital Friday after fainting at the funeral of a close friend, a presidential spokesman said.

Abela, 61, was hospitalised because of a drop in his blood pressure, the spokesman told AFP.

- Medical tests show he is not suffering from anything serious, but he will be kept under observation  the spokesman said.

Abela was "momentarily overcome by emotion" at the funeral of one of his best friends, a 59-year-old entrepreneur who died suddenly while exercising, the government information office said in a statement earlier.

The spokesman said Abela was probably suffering from exhaustion due to a heavy work programme.

A lawyer by training, Abela took office in the tiny Mediterranean country, the European Union's smallest member state, in April this year.