Iraq's Talabani has extreme fatigue but is stable

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is suffering from extreme exhaustion and dehydration but his life is not in danger, his office said on Monday, a day after he was flown to Jordan for medical tests.

"The initial results of the medical tests showed that his condition is completely normal and stable. There is no need to worry. The vital and basic parts of his body are all in good condition," a statement said.

"His Excellency has suffered from extreme fatigue which led to the loss of liquids from his body, causing fatigue and dehydration."

It added Talabani was fully conscious and in good spirits.

Officials denied a report Talabani had had heart surgery.

"He is in a stable condition, it's just exhaustion ... There has been no surgery," said Kamiran Qardaghi, spokesman for the president. An official from Talabani's political party also said the report on Dubai-based Al Arabiya television about the president undergoing triple bypass surgery was false.

Talabani's office on Sunday had denied reports the president had suffered a heart attack.

Talabani was admitted to the specialist King Hussein Medical Center in Amman on Sunday after being flown from Sulaimaniya in northern Iraq.

The statement said Talabani fell ill due to a heavy workload. He will undergo further medical tests in Amman.

A U.S. official in Washington said on Sunday Talabani had been taken to Jordan on a medically equipped U.S. military transport plane. Talabani's post is largely ceremonial but he is an influential figure at home and in Washington.

The former Kurdish guerrilla leader is involved in political efforts to quell sectarian rivalries in Iraq while U.S. troop reinforcements attempt to root out militant groups in Baghdad and avert a slide into all-out civil war.