Deposed Indonesian president Mr Abdurrahman Wahid arrived in Singapore late today on a brief stopover en route to the United States for a medical examination.
A weary looking Mr Wahid was met by Singapore government officials and a large security team at Singapore's Changi airport and was taken in a wheelchair from the plane to a VIP lounge. He was expected to fly on to London about two hours later.
Passengers onboard the flight said Mr Wahid looked tired throughout the 90-minute journey but was unable to sleep and he did not eat.
Early this afternoon Mr Wahid was bid farewell by over 1,000 supporters as he left the presidential palace in Jakarta where he had been since his sacking on Monday.
His departure cleared the last hurdle for a smooth takeover of the presidency by his deputy, Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Mr Wahid was ousted by the national assembly amid allegations of corruption and inept rule, which he has vehemently denied.
The clinically-blind Mr Wahid, who has suffered two strokes and is a diabetic, said before leaving Indonesia he would stay for one week in the US. His doctors feared he may suffer another stroke.
In Washington, a state department spokesman said Mr Wahid would be welcome in the United States for medical treatment, but no official in the US administration planned to meet with the former Indonesian leader.
AFP