Mubarak's health deteriorates quickly

CAIRO, June 6 (UPI) -- Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's health is rapidly deteriorating, officials said Wednesday, causing them to consider returning him to a hospital.

Egypt's state news agency reported that since Saturday, when he was transported to Tora prison to begin serving his life sentence, Mubarak, 84, has suffered repeated heart attacks, a nervous breakdown, high blood pressure and severe depression.

The New York Times said there were reports he required intravenous feeding, however his condition seemed to improve slightly when his sons were brought to him.

After a medical examination, Interior Ministry officials recommended moving him to a military hospital or medical treatment facility.

Egypt has buzzed with protest since Saturday, with demonstrators chanting, "The people want to kill the butcher," decrying Mubarak's life prison sentence, saying he deserves instead to be put to death.

Moving the deposed leader from one facility to another would undoubtedly escalate protests, the Times reported.