Mandela undergoes successful gallstones surgery

Former South African president Nelson Mandela has undergone a successful surgery to remove gallstones, the presidency announced Saturday.

On Saturday morning, "the former president underwent a procedure via endoscopy to have the gallstones removed," the Presidency said in a statement, reported Xinhua.

"The procedure was successful and Mandela is recovering."

"The former president was hospitalized on Dec. 8, 2012 for a series of tests to be carried out by the doctors. The tests revealed that there was a recurrence of the lung infection and that Mandela had developed gallstones," the statement said.

Mandela, who turned 94 July 18 this year, was imprisoned for 27 years during the apartheid period. He was elected the country's first black president in 1994.