Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, said today he was "feeling much better" after he was discharged from hospital in India where he had treatment for a bowel infection.
"I am feeling much better now," he told reporters as he left Lilavati Hospital in Bombay, where he was admitted on January 27 after complaining of exhaustion.
Lilavati Hospital's chief administrator, Prakash Mhatre, told reporters that the Dalai Lama was "normal and healthy" although still a "little weak".
"He was treated for a bowel infection of amoebic origin. The antibiotic course will continue for some more days. But overall he is fit and the famous smile is back on his face," Mr Mhatre said.
"When he was admitted also he was not at all critical," he added.
Mr Mhatre said doctors had carried out more tests today and had decided he was well enough to be discharged.
"And he is clearly comfortable now."
The Dalai Lama will spend some time recuperating in Bombay and has scheduled a press conference for February 7. He had been in the eastern Indian state of Bihar where the 10-day Kalchakra festival - the largest Buddhist gathering in the world - had been due to take place.
His illness led to the postponement of the festival. Several weeks ago doctors had advised him to rest after he suffered a bout of gastrointestinal problems and had complained of giddiness.
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.
India is home to some 100,000 Tibetans who followed the Dalai Lama after his escape. The Tibetan government-in-exile is based in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala.
AFP