Jakarta – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Soeharto in the hospital Friday, saying it was his duty as the head of the state and a "humanitarian gesture" to the ailing former leader.

"I have always visited my seniors, including former presidents and vice presidents, when they are ill. And it is particularly so if the ailment is serious," Yudhoyono told reporters after the 30-minute morning visit at Pertamina Hospital, South Jakarta.

Soeharto, who will be 85 in June and suffered several minor strokes in recent years, has been hospitalized since May 4 due to intestinal bleeding and underwent surgery to remove a 40-cm section of his colon three days later.

Soeharto later underwent 30-minute minor surgery to stop bleeding from his earlier operation. His condition, complicated by respiratory difficulties, was brought under control through blood transfusions and administration of drugs, doctors said.

Yudhoyono did not comment on the controversy about Soeharto's legal status for alleged graft during his 32-year rule. The Attorney General's Office decided last week to forego future prosecution due to his declining health.

Dozens of protesters gathered Friday at Taman Suropati, outside the Vice President's residence and close to the Soeharto family compound on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta. The protesters, who clashed with the police, demanded the revoking of the attorney general's decision, the seizing of Soeharto's assets and a class action suit by people who suffered human rights abuses under his regime.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said Soeharto was conscious and seemed to recognize Yudhoyono. His eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana helped the two men communicate due to Soeharto's difficulty in speaking.

Yudhoyono also met with the team of doctors treating Soeharto and his relatives, Andi said. "We only had the chance to talk about Soeharto's health condition. There was nothing about the legal controversy."

Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla later met with chief security minister Widodo A.S., Indonesian Military Commander Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto and Religious Affairs Minister M. Maftuh Basyuni to discuss Soeharto's condition.

Kalla, who did not go into detail about the meeting, commented the Attorney General's Office's decision to halt further prosecution was in line with the law. "It's based on legal considerations, not political or emotional ones. The government is consistent in taking legal measure and following the law," he said.

Concerning corruption allegations about several foundations under Soeharto's patronage, Kalla said their administration was handed over to the government upon his resignation in 1998. He said it was now a matter of reorganizing the foundations.

Pertamina Hospital head Adji Suprajitno said Soeharto's condition worsened Friday afternoon due to breathing problems, but was brought under control through transfusions.

"He is still conscious and can communicate with his family." He also said Soeharto's condition had not changed from its listing of critical when he was admitted 16 days ago.

"This critical phase has been longer than we expected. The hope was the critical phase would be over in a week but it turned out it remains until today because it has affected other organs."