Iraqi president makes TV address from hospital

BAGHDAD, Mar 1 (Reuters) Iraqi President Jalal Talabani today appeared on Iraqi television for the first time since he was taken to hospital in Jordan on Sunday, saying he was in good health and would return to his post.

Talabani, who is in his early 70s, was dressed casually and looking much as normal in the address to Iraqis broadcast on Iraqiya state television from his hospital in Amman.

''Thanks to God, as you see now, I am in good health and I will return to Iraq in very good health to continue on my path with the people of Iraq,'' he said. ''I will continue to be an important player in the process towards a new Iraq.'' Talabani thanked world leaders from US President George W Bush to Palestian President Mahmoud Abbas for their letters, visits and phone calls, adding that the first call he received was from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

A former Kurdish guerrilla who was backed by Iran against Saddam Hussein, Talabani has been trying to push diplomatic initiatives to persuade Iraq's neighbours Iran and Syria to help quell violence in Iraq.

His spokesman has said he was suffering from exhaustion.

REUTERS SY BST2347