Zardari to stay in Dubai for two weeks

President Asif Ali Zardari will remain in Dubai on sick leave for two more weeks, longer than at first expected, Wall Streets Journal quoting a person close to the president reported Monday. Zardari traveled to Dubai a week ago after suffering from symptoms including heavy perspiration and physical pain and was expected to be there a week. The president suffered a major heart attack in 2005 and his family were concerned he was suffering a second attack. Medical tests have ruled out a heart attack. Zardari is stable but needs time to regain his strength, the person said. Government has said it is as yet unclear whether Zardaris condition is related to the earlier heart attack or the medicines he has been taking for his heart condition. Zardaris absence from Pakistan comes at a crucial time. He was expected to call a special joint session of Parliament this week to discuss a raid last month by NATO helicopters that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. That special session, during which Zardari was to set out his views about Pakistans deteriorating relationship with the US, now appears unlikely to happen this year. The joint session of Parliament was supposed to be an occasion for Zardari to address lawmakers over where he sees the US-Pakistan relationship as going. Some observers say that - despite the discontent - Pakistan is likely to continue its uneasy alliance with Washington.