African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela underwent a minor operation and will remain in the hospital for a couple of days for needed rest, the clinic's director said Tuesday.

"Mr. Mandela will be here a couple of days and is resting - which he needs," said Gordon Cohen, director of the Park Lane Clinic, to which the ANC deputy president was admitted Sunday night for a routine physical.He did not specify what type of operation the 71-year-old Mandela underwent.

Mandela's wife, Winnie, visited him Tuesday and told reporters Mandela's planned trip to Europe next week was "in no way affected and would go ahead," the South African Press Association said.

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