Jakarta: Indonesia's ex-dictator Suharto, 86, lost consciousness today and was having difficulty breathing, his doctors said in a press release distributed at the hospital where he has been treated for a week.

"At 5:00 pm (0330 PM IST), he was in a critical condition. He lost consciousness and he had very bad breathing difficulties," the statement released several hours later said.

"We gave him some respiratory assistance and gave him medication to try to overcome the condition." The doctors, who released the statement ahead of an unscheduled press briefing yet to begin, said his breathing pattern was very quick and shallow and his blood pressure had dropped dramatically.

Vice President Yusuf Kalla arrived at the hospital along with more relatives, an AFP photographer saw. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is currently in Malaysia on an official visit. ElShinta radio reported that all of Suharto's six children were at the hospital.

Suharto, an authoritarian ruler for 32 years until he was forced from power in 1998, entered hospital on January 4 with anaemia and low blood pressure, as well as heart, kidney and lung problems.

The 86-year-old improved after dialysis and transfusions but his condition has since fluctuated considerably.

Source : PTI