Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's recent health woes have caused anxiety and uncertainty in his country. Mubarak is in Germany recovering from surgery to remove his gall bladder.
Mubarak, 81, has been in power for almost 29 years, and it is unclear who will succeed him.
According to the BBC, concern over Mubarak's condition drove stock market levels down last week. On Friday, Egyptian state media broadcast pictures of the president sitting up and reviewing documents in the Heidelberg hospital; the stock market subsequently experienced a boost.
Egyptian sources said the media has been more open about Mubarak's health following his latest surgery than it was during previous health scares. In the past, attempts to keep the President's health issues secret only led to rumors and widespread panic, they said.
State-run mosques offered prayers for Mubarak's health, and a senior government official said that praying for the president's health was a religious duty.
While media say Mubarak is recovering well, it is not clear when he will be able to return to Egypt. Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif has assumed his powers in his absence.