Ethiopia denies fresh rumours of Meles Zenawi death By ARGAW ASHINE | Wednesday, August 1  2012 at  18:51

Ethiopia Wednesday dismissed new speculation this week of Meles Zenawi's death as unfounded and said the premier was alive and recovering from his illness.

Government spokesman Bereket Simon on state television termed the feverish rumours as total fabrications.

"We do not want to respond to every speculation. This is a politically motivated rumour aimed at creating instability in the country," Mr Bereket said.

But the official did not touch on the whereabouts of the prime minister, who is believed to be recuperating in a Brussels hospital.

Mr Meles, 57, has not been seen in public for six weeks.

On Monday exiled opposition TV station Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) claimed the prime minister had died weeks earlier, citing the International Crisis Group (ICG) as a source in its report.

ESAT also claimed the internal power struggle in the ruling party over a new leader for the nation of 85 million had prevented the government from announcing Mr Meles' death.

ICG in a short statement Tuesday refuted the report: "International Crisis Group has no direct knowledge about the state of health of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Crisis Group has never commented on Mr Zenawi’s health or his fate, and is not in a position to speculate about it. Crisis Group categorically denies any media claims to the contrary," it said in a statement.

Addis Ababa admits the premier was ill but termed it minor, saying doctors had advised him to take some rest.

But public speculation over his health has continued to be feverish, while actual information remains scant.