BAGHDAD, July 30 (AFP) - Deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been diagnosed with a chronic prostate infection but cancer is not suspected, Iraqi Human Rights Minister Bakhtiar Amin said on Friday.
"He is being treated with antibiotics for a chronic infection of the prostate, and initial examinations have not shown cancer," Amin told AFP by telephone.
"To be 100 percent sure (that he does not have cancer), a biopsy will be needed," said Amin, who visited the 67-year-old Saddam and his doctors last Saturday.
Saddam, deposed in April 2003 following the US-led invasion of Iraq, is awaiting trial for crimes against humanity.
"He has a hernia, but I don't know the details. He also has a small problem with one of his eyes, and a problem with high blood pressure, for which he is receiving treatment," Amin said.
"Saddam Hussein is very well treated in prison, and he is walking well, seems normal and not to have problems," he said.
In response to a question, Amin said Saddam, who was arraigned along with 11 of his aides before a special Iraqi court on July 1, would be fit to stand trial.