New Delhi - The Dalai Lama was Friday operated on to remove gallbladder stones in the Indian capital of Delhi, according to the Tibetan spiritual leader's spokesman.

The operations was swift, simple and "everything went without a hitch," said spokesman Tenzin Takhla, adding that the
73-year-old Buddhist leader should be discharged within a day or two.

At the end of August the Dalai Lama spent four days in hospital in the west Indian city Mumbai, after he had complained about abdominal pains. After numerous medical tests the physicians had given him an all-clear signal.

The Dalai Lama was hospitalised Thursday for medical tests in new Delhi after a recurrence of the discomfort.

Tibet's spiritual leader lives in the exile in the north Indian city of Dharamsala. (dpa)