Brazil's Lula undergoes brain surgery, stable in ICU

The surgery was successful and the 79-year-old Lula is 'well' and being monitored in the intensive care unit, a medical note published by the government said on Tuesday.

Sao Paulo: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva underwent surgery in Sao Paulo to drain a bleed on his brain linked to a fall at home in October, a medical note published by the government said on Tuesday.

The surgery was successful and the 79-year-old Lula is "well" and being monitored in the intensive care unit, the note said. Doctors will hold a press conference at 9 am local time (1200 GMT) to provide details.

Lula underwent an MRI late on Monday in Brasilia after suffering a headache, which detected an intracranial hemorrhage. He was transferred to Sao Paulo for surgery at the Sirio Libanes hospital.

Lula fell at home in late October and sustained a small brain hemorrhage and trauma to the back of his head which required stitches.

The president's injury forced him to cancel a trip to Russia for a summit of the BRICS group of major emerging markets being held in Kazan, following medical advice to temporarily avoid long-haul flights.

The president's injury forced him to cancel a trip to Russia for a summit of the BRICS group of major emerging markets being held in Kazan, following medical advice to temporarily avoid long-haul flights.