ALGIERS, Dec. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia told state radio Saturday that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's health is "constantly improving and his health is far from concern."

    "I seize this opportunity to calm national opinion by affirming most solemnly that the authorities have no reason to hide anything about the president's health and by the grace of God the presidentis well," Ouyahia said.

    Ouyahia made the first comments Thursday about the Bouteflika'shealth by a senior official since the president was sent to Paris last Saturday for medical treatment.

    Ouyahia said the 68-year-old Bouteflika's illness was in a "minor" medical condition linked to "gastric problems."

    Bouteflika, re-elected for a second five-year term last year, has been undergoing medical tests at France's Val de Grace military hospital. Enditem