Presidential Affairs Minister Cecil Holmes says President Levy Mwanawasa is recovering well in Paris, France.
Mr Holmes who has just returned from France however expressed disappointment at some people who were spreading false rumours about the President.
According to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC)Television news monitored in Lusaka this evening, Mr Holmes urged Zambians to unite in prayers for President Mwanawasa’s quick recovery.
Mr Holmes who was speaking at a church service held at Lusaka’s Chawama Revival Church also commended the opposition for being part of the service.
Some members of the first family were also present at the church service.
Meanwhile, Victory Bible Church Bishop for Northern Province Fred Tobolo has urged Zambians not to be discouraged but continue praying for President Levy Mwanawasa’s speedy recovery.
And acting Northern Province Permanent Secretary Gabriel Kaunda has commended Zambians for the unity they have exhibited in praying for Dr. Mwanawasa’s healing.
Speaking during an inter-denomination prayer service for the quick recovery of Dr. Mwanawasa held at St. John’s Cathedral in Kasama today (Sunday), Bishop Tobolo said people should not be discouraged by thinking that their petitioning of God to heal the President was in vain.
Bishop Tobolo who quoted extensively from the Bible said people should be encouraged by the fact that they believed in a God who answered prayer.
He said by continuing to pray for President Mwanawasa’s healing, all what they were doing was to ask God to act according to His word.
And Bread of Life International Pastor Ponela petitioned God to give insight, revelation and inspiration to the medical doctors attending to Dr. Mwanawasa.
And Roman Catholic Priest Fr. Ives Bantungwa said the interdenominational prayer service, which had attracted scores of Kasama residents from all walks of Life, was a demonstration of the faith people had in God to heal the President.
And Acting Northern Province Permanent Secretary Gabriel Kaunda commended Zambians for standing together in prayer for the recovery of the President.
Mr. Kaunda observed that what was happening in Zambia at this time was a testimony of the oneness which exists in the country adding that this could not happen in many African countries.
He said it was this spirit of oneness which has made Zambia the envy of most African Countries and urged Zambians to continue upholding the same spirit.
Mr. Kaunda who commended various Churches which had gathered said it was important to continue praying for President Mwanawasa’s recovery because the country had just started ripping the benefits of his good administration as evidenced by the positive signs in the economy.
He noted that everyone with eyes could attest to the fact that Zambia was making tremendous economic progress under the able leadership of Dr. Mwanawasa.
The interdenominational service which was also attended by Service Chiefs was organised by the MMD and lasted for over two hours.
President Mwanawasa is currently admitted to Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France after suffering a stroke while attending the African Union (AU) Summit in Egypt.
ZANIS/ENDS/HM/CLM