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Baghdad, Dec 18 (IANS) The Iraqi presidency Tuesday denied reports stating that President Jalal Talabani has died at a hospital in the capital city of Baghdad. His condition remains stable, a state-run TV channel reported. "The Iraqi Presidency office has denied reports about the death of President Jalal Talabani," reported Xinhua quoting the state-run Iraqia channel. The channel quoted Naseer al-Aani, head of the presidency office, as saying that "reports about Talabani's death are not true, and his condition is stable". Media reports earlier said the 79-year-old president died in a Baghdad hospital where he was admitted following a brain stroke. "President Talabani died today (Tuesday) after fast deterioration in his health in a Baghdad hospital," reported Xinhua quoting presidential sources. He had been facing various health problems in recent years. Talabani had been admitted to Baghdad hospital in a critical condition late Monday night. He was unconscious due to brain stroke, a report said citing a medical source. The presidential office, in an earlier statement, had reportedly said Talabani was admitted to a hospital in Baghdad "because of fatigue and tiredness".
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