Nelson Mandela remained in critical condition on Monday, after his condition deteriorated in hospital over the weekend.

"The doctors are doing everything possible to ensure his well-being and comfort," President Jacob Zuma told a news conference on Monday.

Zuma and African National Congress Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the anti-apartheid icon at the Pretoria hospital on Sunday and were briefed on his condition by the medical team. They asked the world to pray for the 94-year-old former president and his family "during this difficult time".

A portrait of former South African President Nelson Mandela rests against the wall as messages written by visitors are seen on the wall at Regina Mundi church in Soweto township, a flashpoint during the anti-apartheid struggle, in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday.

Mandela, who has been in the hospital with a lung infection since June 8, had been in "serious but stable" condition but was downgraded over the weekend, officials said.

In Washington, the White House National Security Council spokeswoman noted the latest reports from the South African government about the Nobel Peace Prize laureate's worsening condition.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the people of South Africa," spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said.

In the statement, Zuma addressed reports that the ambulance that took Mandela to the hospital earlier this month broke down on the way, saying that the delay did not compromise his health.

"There were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period. He had expert medical care," his statement said.

"The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The doctors also dismissed the media reports that Madiba suffered cardiac arrest. There is no truth at all in that report."

【新聞快訊】

南非總統(tǒng)府23日晚發(fā)布消息說，曼德拉的病情出現(xiàn)惡化。南非總統(tǒng)祖馬當(dāng)晚到比勒陀利亞的醫(yī)院探視了曼德拉，并與曼德拉的夫人商討了他的病情。南非總統(tǒng)祖馬24日在記者會(huì)上表示，曼德拉的病情依然危急。南非人能做的，是為他祈福，希望他轉(zhuǎn)危為安。?

曼德拉本月8日凌晨因肺部嚴(yán)重感染住院。這是他今年以來第三次入院接受治療。

曼德拉病情轉(zhuǎn)危的消息傳出，極大地震動(dòng)了南非社會(huì)。南非民眾的心頭普遍蒙上了一層悲傷的情緒。在收治曼德拉的比勒陀利亞醫(yī)院外，圍墻上貼滿了祝福曼德拉平安康復(fù)的字條和圖畫。有的民眾特意趕來，在醫(yī)院的大門外擺上一束束鮮花。

曼德拉的病情也引發(fā)了國際社會(huì)的高度關(guān)注。美國白宮人士24日表態(tài)稱，“將為曼德拉和他的家人祈禱”。美國總統(tǒng)奧巴馬本周末即將訪問南非，屆時(shí)，奧巴馬會(huì)否到醫(yī)院探望曼德拉，尚不知曉。

曼德拉被視作南非反種族隔離斗士，曾在南非羅本島監(jiān)獄服刑27年。1993年，他和南非種族隔離政權(quán)的最后一名總統(tǒng)德克勒克共獲諾貝爾和平獎(jiǎng)。1994年，曼德拉當(dāng)選南非第一位黑人總統(tǒng)，5年后卸任。下月18日曼德拉將迎來95歲生日。