NATO secretary general hospitalized

The 61-year-old NATO chief was recovering after having "a small blood clot" removed, NATO spokesman James Appathurai said, adding that he would remain in the hospital for observation for three days, AP reported.

He said de Hoop Scheffer was expected to make a full recovery.

De Hoop Scheffer fainted after opening a NATO exhibition near the royal palace on Tuesday. Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy and Defense Minister Pieter De Crem helped in trying to revive him on a park bench.

The NATO chief plans to step down at the end of July when his five years at the helm of the 28-nation alliance ends.

Appathurai said de Hoop Scheffer had been extremely tired in recent days due to a heavy schedule.

De Hoop Scheffer had been scheduled to attend a farewell reception in his honor in Berlin on Tuesday. He has been on a whirlwind tour across European capitals in recent days to say his goodbyes.