The health of deposed Egyptian president Hosny Mubarak was today shrouded in mystery, with state media providing conflicting reports about his condition.

State-run television quoted unnamed medical officials as saying the 84-year-old former leader had suffered a stroke and an artery clot, and was placed on a ventilator.

A medical team treating Mubarak at a military hospital in Cairo have refused to provide further details, the broadcaster said.

His transfer from a prison where he is serving a life sentence comes at an uncertain time for Egypt, which is awaiting the results of a presidential election to replace him.

The state-run Middle East News Agency, citing medical sources, reported late yesterday that Mubarak had been declared clinically dead shortly after arriving at the hospital from a prison.

Doctors used a defibrillator to restart Mubarak’s heart after it stopped for a few seconds, added the agency.

Fareed al-Deeb, Mubarak’s lawyer, said he was in a critical condition.

“His health has deteriorated due to lack of medical care at the prison hospital,” al-Deeb said in remarks published in the state-run Al Ahram newspaper.

Mubarak, who has been serving a life sentence in the Tora Prison near Cairo, was moved to the hospital after a stroke, according to security sources.

His health has been deteriorating since his arrival in the prison hospital after the court sentence earlier this month on charges of complicity in the deaths of protesters.

Mubarak ruled Egypt for three decades before a popular uprising last year forced him to resign.

- dpa