Brazil VP transferred out of intensive care

Sao Paulo, Agency
Brazilian Vice President Jose Alencar was transferred in stable condition Thursday to a regular hospital room from intensive care after he was hospitalized more than a week ago because of an intestinal hemorrhage, medical sources said.

According to a brief communique released by the Sirio-Libanes Hospital in Sao Paulo, where the vice president is receiving care, the hemorrhage is under control and the patient is recovering favorably from the insertion of a catheter that was performed on Tuesday.

According to his doctors' prognosis, Alencar will remain hospitalized for the next several days and thus he will be unable to attend the inauguration of President-elect Dilma Rousseff on Saturday.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit Alencar on Saturday after he transfers power to his successor.

Alencar, who has undergone 17 surgeries over the past 13 years, has suffered from abdominal cancer for more than a decade.

He is the owner of the multinational textile firm Coteminas and was elected to the vice presidency in 2002 and reelected four years later as Lula's running mate.

Vice President-elect Michel Temer will also take office on Saturday.