Manila's Arroyo recovers from flu, leaves hospital

MANILA, July 29 (Reuters) Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, down with influenza for two days, left a Manila hospital quietly today, her doctors said.

Arroyo, looking well-rested, greeted people at the lobby of St. Luke's Medical Center as security men whisked her to a car for a short trip back to Malacanang presidential palace, her official residence.

''She really needs rest,'' Juliet Cervantes, the president's doctor, told reporters after her convoy left the hospital.

''That is the best medicine for her.'' Yesterday, her doctors said she ''can be discharged any time'' but was advised to get complete rest to regain her strength.

The 59-year-old, who was hospitalised in June with an attack of diarrhoea, promised her doctors she would rest during the weekend before returning to work on Monday, sticking to a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m work schedule to lessen stress.

Arroyo is not known to have any serious medical conditions.

Doctors said Arroyo was given paracetamol and was initially given intravenous fluids to reduce her fever on Thursday evening when she was rushed to the hospital with influenza.

Doctors said Arroyo was ''barking orders'' from her hospital bed as dozens of soldiers and police officers kept a tight watch around the hospital.

REUTERS KR HS1048