Argentine president has cancer surgery

BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Argentine President Cristina Kirchner underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer, her doctors said Wednesday.

In a statement, the surgical team said the operation took 3 1/2 hours, The Wall Street Journal reported. Doctors described the surgery as "without any problem nor complications."

Kirchner is expected to remain hospitalized for three days.

The president's office said she is expected to spend 20 days recuperating before she returns to work. Vice President Amado Boudou has been in charge since Kirchner was hospitalized.

Supporters gathered outside the hospital in a Buenos Aires suburb.

"We are all with Cristina in spirit," Angeles Dominguez, a bakery employee, said, telling the Journal she had been praying for the president.

Kirchner, whose late husband, Nestor, preceded her as president, was re-elected in October with 54 percent of the vote.