Banda said in a statement that Mwanawasa, 59, was in stable condition after the operation, but he did not specify the nature of surgery the Zambian leader had undergone.

"Following the minor operation yesterday afternoon (Monday) to improve his breathing... Mwanawasa is recovering satisfactorily. His breathing is much better and (he) had a restful night at the Percy Military Hospital," Banda said.

"The president continues to be in a stable condition. The treatment has been adjusted to take into account the minor operation," Banda added.

Mwanawasa was rushed to hospital on June 29 in Egypt's resort of Sharm el-Sheikh after suffering a stroke just before an African Union summit.

He was later transferred to Paris for treatment.

Zambia last week dismissed reports in South African media that Mwanawasa had died.

Mwanawasa is a favourite of the International Monetary Fund and other Western donors, who extended billions of dollars in debt relief after he cracked down on government spending and launched an anti-graft drive.

An outspoken critic of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, Mwanawasa chairs the Southern African Development Community which has mediated between the veteran leader and the opposition to try to end that country's political and economic crisis.

The Zambian leader suffered a mild stroke in 2006 but said before being re-elected that year that he was fit to stand for office.