Sawt Falasteen - Norway's King Harald to stay in hospital to treat infection: doctor

The king was taken to hospital while on holiday on the Spanish island, suffering from an infection and dehydration.

"The king's overall health is good and he is responding well to treatment. The infection stems from a skin infection on one of his legs," the doctor, Bjorn Bendz, said in a royal statement.

"The king will remain in hospital for a few more days for observation and continued treatment," he added.

Europe's oldest monarch was admitted to Hospital Universitario Hospiten Sur in Tenerife on Tuesday evening. He was on a private visit with his wife, Queen Sonja, 88, and celebrated his latest birthday on Saturday.

"When people who are nearly 90 are admitted to hospital for an infection, it's a serious situation," said Bendz.

"It is important that we have a good overview and full control of his state of health before the king can leave hospital -- even if his condition is stable at the moment," he added.

Harald, who has been king since 1991, has suffered health problems in recent years that have forced him to scale back his official schedule. But he has always ruled out abdicating.

During a private trip to Malaysia two years ago, he picked up an infection and was taken to hospital before being flown home after having a pacemaker fitted.

Harald's health worries come as the Norwegian monarchy is confronting scandals.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who married Harald's son, Crown Prince Haakon, in 2001, appears multiple times in documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, revealing an unsuspected closeness with the late American sex offender.

Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, is on trial on 38 charges in Oslo, including four rapes and assaults. The 29-year-old, who is not a member of the royal family, denies the most serious charges.

The popularity of the Norwegian royal family has fallen to its lowest level, according to a poll published on Saturday by public broadcaster NRK.

Only 60 percent of the population supports the monarchy -- 10 percent less than the previous month. NRK said the support "has never been so low".

Harald, however, is a popular unifying figure, scoring 9.2 out of 10, the survey suggested.

Q.Jaber--SF-PST