Maldives foreign minister critical

Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdul Samad Abdulla was in Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital after suffering a severe heart attack and is said to be in critical condition.

The foreign ministry has described the minister's condition as "very critical", reports Xinhua.

Samad, 67, has served in the health ministry and the World Health Organization.

A foreign ministry spokesman said Samad had originally gone to Singapore for medical purposes. He underwent a heart bypass surgery 15 years ago, according to reports.