PETALING JAYA: Norway's King Harald V, aged 87 and in poor health, is "improving" from an infection that forced him to be hospitalised while on holiday in Malaysia, his office said Wednesday (Feb 28).

       The king will remain in hospital on the island of Langkawi and it is not yet known when he will return home, the Royal House of Norway said in a statement.

       The king's "personal physician is in Langkawi and confirms that the king is improving from his infection. His Majesty is well taken care of at the hospital and is receiving good treatment," the statement said.

       "His Majesty will remain at the hospital for a few more days. No decision has been made regarding his return home," it added.

       Europe's oldest ruling monarch, who turned 87 in February, needs crutches to get around and has suffered from a series of ailments and illnesses in recent years, including heart surgery and various respiratory problems.

       In January, he was ill with a respiratory infection just a few days after dismissing speculation that he might abdicate, following the lead of distant cousin Queen Margrethe II in Denmark.

       "I stick by what I've always said, that I swore an oath to the Storting (parliament) and it is for life," said Harald, quoted by Norwegian media.

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