PM takes a few days off in Europe

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Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad left this morning for an undisclosed destination in Europe for a week long vacation, the official Bernama news agency said.

Bernama quoted Mahathir's press secretary Zakaria Abdul as saying that the 76-year-old premier was accompanied by his wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Mahathir's anointed successor, said the premier deserves the break.

"He is going on a short leave. He has been going all over the place. He deserves several days' break," he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Star newspaper.

Mahathir sparked pandemonium at ruling party conference Saturday by resigning as party leader but then agreeing to stay on.

The veteran leader shocked delegates by announcing he was stepping down as leader of the party and the ruling coalition, which suggested he would not stand for prime minister in the next elections.



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