Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has handed power temporarily to his prime minister while he is scheduled to undergo gall bladder surgery Saturday in Germany, the state-run MENA news agency reported.
Mubarak has issued a presidential decree delegating Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif executive power until he returns to Cairo, as the constitution requires him to do, according to the report.
State media said on Friday that the president will undergo several medical check-ups in German city of Heidelberg during his visit in Germany, Xinhua reported.
The operation will take place in Heidelberg, and his wife and two sons including Gamal, as well as Health Minister Hatem el- Gabali, accompanied him, the report said.
President Mubarak is visiting Germany for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.