The South African government says Nelson Mandela is recovering from a successful operation to remove gall stones.

The 94-year-old former South African president was admitted to hospital a week ago for a lung infection.President Jacob Zuma has released a statement saying he wishes Mr Mandela a speedy recovery on behalf of all South Africans."The former president underwent a procedure via endoscopy to have gall stones removed. The procedure was successful and Madiba is recovering," Mr Zuma's office said in a statement, using Mr Mandela's clan name.The medical team decided to attend to a lung infection before determining when to attend to the gall stones.South Africa's first black president, who came to power in historic all-race elections in 1994 after decades struggling against apartheid, remains a symbol of resistance to racism and injustice at home and around the world.