August 28, 2012 - 17:25 AMT
Turkish President prohibited from traveling abroad

Turkey’s President Abdullah Gül has been prohibited from traveling abroad for two months by health professionals who have been treating the head of state in hospital for a recent acute ear infection, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

As such, Gül’s planned trip to Sweden on Sept 9 and his long tour of the United States have been canceled.

“In order to avoid the reoccurrence of the ear illness, our president has been advised to stay away from activities that could hurt his hearing functions, including air travel,” Hacettepe University Hospital said in a written statement.

The Turkish president suffered from increased fluid and pressure in both ears and had to cut the trip to Kyrgyzstan short on Aug. 23 in order to return home for treatment. The recurring ear infection is something the president has struggled with for years. Upon his return, he was immediately rushed to Hacettepe University Hospital.