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Singapore’s Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew Is Still on Life Support

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Singaporean officials confirmed on Thursday that the country’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, remains on life support in an intensive care unit.

The Prime Minister’s office released a statement clarifying Lee’s condition, after rumors swirled earlier this week that the 91-year-old former head of government had died.

“Mr Lee Kuan Yew is still warded in ICU at Singapore General Hospital. He remains sedated and on mechanical ventilation,” read the statement. “His doctors have restarted him on antibiotics, and are continuing to monitor him closely.”

Lee, who is largely credited with creating the conditions that allowed the former British colony to transform into a thriving international business hub, was first admitted to Singapore’s General Hospital on Feb. 5 after succumbing to severe pneumonia.

According to an earlier statement, Lee was both “conscious and lightly sedated” over the weekend.

See 'Father of Singapore' Lee Kuan Yew's Life in Pictures

Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew (1923-2015), seen in 1969.
Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew (1923-2015), seen in 1969.Michael Stroud—Getty Images
The General Secretary of People's Action Party of Singapore and the new Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew congratulated by his supporters in 1959.
The General Secretary of People's Action Party of Singapore and the new Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew congratulated by his supporters in 1959. Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone/Getty Images
Prime Minister Kuan Yew Lee in conference with Labor leaders during strike threat in 1965.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in conference with Labor leaders during strike threat in 1965.Larry Burrows—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Prime Minister Kuan Yew Lee and family at official residence of "Sri Tamasek" in 1965.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and family at official residence of "Sri Tamasek" in 1965.Larry Burrows—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at home with his family playing Chinese chess in 1965.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at home with his family playing Chinese chess in 1965.Larry Burrows—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Lee Kuan Yew in 1965.
Lee Kuan Yew in 1965.Larry Burrows—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew during May Day celebration in 1965.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew during May Day celebration in 1965.Larry Burrows—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Sir Alec Douglas Home, former British Prime Minister meets with Lee Kuan Yew, in London, 1969.
Sir Alec Douglas Home, former British Prime Minister meets with Lee Kuan Yew, in London, 1969.Rolls Press/Popperfoto/Getty Images
Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference at Marlborough House, London, in 1966.
Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference at Marlborough House, London, in 1966.Roger Jackson—Getty Images
Premier Lee Kuan Yew with visiting British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1985.
Premier Lee Kuan Yew with visiting British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1985.Peter Jordan—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Lee Kuan Yew with President Obama in the Oval Office in 2009.
Lee Kuan Yew with President Obama in the Oval Office in 2009.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images
Lee Kuan Yew in 2005.
Lee Kuan Yew in 2005.Jonathan Drake—Bloomberg/Getty Images

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