Conflicting Reports Over Former Egyptian Leader Mubarak's Health

There are conflicting reports about the health of former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. Some reports had indicated that he had fallen into a coma or had suffered a stroke, but others are denying this.

Hosni Mubarak's lead doctor denied Sunday that the ousted Egyptian president had suffered a stroke or was in a coma, as Mubarak's lawyer claimed. Doctor Assem Azzam said the 83-year old Mubarak had only suffered a bout of low blood pressure and was in stable condition.

Mubarak's lawyer Farid el-Deeb said earlier that he had a stroke and was in a coma. "I checked on him. He is in stable condition. What happened is he got a little dizzy because his blood pressure was low. The doctors are dealing with that," said Azzam. "It is only hypotension, not a coma." A second official in the same hospital confirmed this, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. Mubarak has been in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh since April under arrest on charges he ordered the killings of protesters during Egypt's uprising. He is said to be suffering from heart trouble. (See pictures of the rise and fall of Mubarak.)

The former president is set to face trial in about two weeks on charges he ordered the killings of protesters during the 18-day uprising that ousted him on Feb. 11. A conviction could carry the death penalty and activists suspect his lawyer may be using health problems as a ruse to sway public opinion and perhaps even win amnesty.