Brazilian president Lula in intensive care after brain surgery

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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is in intensive care after brain surgery and is recovering “well”, the government announced on Tuesday.

The 79-year-old, who is commonly referred to as Lula, underwent a craniotomy procedure to drain a haematoma on his head after an MRI scan showed an “intracranial haemorrhage”, according to a medical note shared by the government. The injury related to a fall at home on October 19 and Lula had been suffering with headaches, the note said.

The surgery was “uneventful”, the note added, and Lula is being monitored in intensive care. 

Lula cancelled his attendance at the Brics summit in Russia in October for health reasons. 

Doctors will hold a press conference at 9am local time on Tuesday.

This is a developing story