Nigeria's High Court has ruled that Vice President Goodluck Jonathan can act for President Umara Yar'Adua who is being treated in hospital abroad. However, Mr Jonathan will not be named interim president.

The court ruling was requested by various parties in Nigeria. Some of them wanted the deputy to become interim president, while others insisted no major decisions should be made while Mr Yar'Adua was away.

The president went to Saudi Arabia in November to be treated in hospital for heart problems. On Tuesday, he issued his first statement for seven weeks, saying he was recovering and hoped to return to Nigeria soon.

image: Wikipedia