Nelson Mandela back in hospital

Former South African President Nelson Mandela has been admitted to hospital with a recurrence of a lung infection, the government said on Thursday.

It was his longest stay in hospital since his release from prison in 1990 after serving 27 years for conspiring to overthrow the white-minority apartheid government.

However, he spent nearly three weeks in hospital in December with a lung infection and after surgery to remove gallstones.

Mandela was admitted briefly to hospital earlier this month for a check up.

A statement said the 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader was admitted shortly before midnight. It gave no further details other than to say he was receiving the "best possible expert medical treatment and comfort".