The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, left hospital earlier than planned after having a successful operation for recurrent heart palpitations in west London.
According to a statement from the hospital, the operation was a success and Mr Blair should make a full and quick recovery. The chances of the palpitations recurring were low, the statement added.
Mr Blair, 51, was brought to hospital this morning to undergo the procedure, which was performed under local anaesthetic. The procedure is known as catheter ablation.
The prime minister will rest over the weekend before returning to work next week.
Last night, Mr Blair indicated for the first time that he intends to serve a full third term as prime minister if re-elected, but would not seek a fourth term.
An election is widely expected next year and three full terms would mean Mr Blair would have been in Downing Street longer than Margaret Thatcher.
In a separate development, Labour last night won a by-election in Hartlepool in northeast England - the former seat of the newly-appointed EU Commissioner Peter Mandelson.
The Conservative Party was beaten into fourth place behind the Liberal Democrats and the UK Independence Party.
