Vietnam ruling party chief ill, president given chair

ANKARA

The ruling Communist party of Vietnam has asked President To Lam to take charge of party affairs after its chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the country's most powerful official, stepped aside due to health issues, local media reported on Thursday.

The party has allowed General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to focus on his treatment and assigned President Lam to preside over the work of the Party Central Committee, Politburo, and Secretariat.

"The Politburo has issued a notice on Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's health and assigned Politburo member, President To Lam to be in charge of the work of the Party Central Committee, Politburo, and Secretariat," said an official statement issued by the government.

However, the party did not share further details about their chief’s disease or health condition.

The Politburo also directed specialized agencies to mobilize teams of health experts to focus on and provide the best possible treatment to the party chief.

The party's top body also urged the entire party, the people, and the army to put their trust in the leadership and strengthen unity and solidarity.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid