The South African government says that former President Nelson Mandela underwent a successful surgical operation to remove gallstones from his gallbladder.
A statement issued in Johannesburg by the presidential spokesman, Mac Maharaj, said that Mandela, who is 94, underwent the surgery on Saturday.
``Mandela is recovering well after undergoing surgery this morning to remove gallstones.
``The doctors wanted to treat a recurrent lung infection before putting him through the surgery.
``The procedure was successful and Madiba is recovering," Maharaj said.
Mandela has been hospitalised since Dec.8.
A gallstone is an accumulation of crystals in the gallbladder. If left untreated, it can become life-threatening because of the risks of secondary infections such as pancreatitis.