Official: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is flown to Germany for more treatment after stroke

The Associated Press

BAGHDAD - A Kurdish lawmaker says Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has been flown to Germany for further medical treatment after suffering a stroke earlier this week.

Mahmoud Othman says the 79-year-old Talabani left Baghdad early morning on Thursday for Berlin. The decision to move the ailing president came after a medical team from Germany recommended he be taken abroad for treatment.

It was not immediately known what German hospital Talabani would be taken to.

Talabani is a senior Kurdish leader and has been a symbol of unity in Iraq.

Questions remain about the graveness of his illness. Hospital officials and his office have released few details to the public, though they say he is showing signs of improvement.