Mr Chiluba's suits were paid by public funds, the judge had said

Emmanuel Mwamba told Reuters news agency that Mr Chiluba's condition was stable but doctors advised him to remain in hospital.

Mr Chiluba, 64, suffers from a heart condition.

He is due to be examined by doctors on Monday to see if he is fit enough to stand trial for corruption in Zambia.

Mr Chiluba was found guilty earlier this month by a London court of stealing some $46m of state funds. He denounced the verdict in the civil case as "racist" and "obscene".

Mr Chiluba served two terms as Zambia's president from 1991 to 2001.

His handpicked successor, President Levy Mwanawasa, has been pursuing an anti-corruption drive against Mr Chiluba's former government.

The president has offered to pardon Mr Chiluba if he admits the allegations and returns 75% of the cash he allegedly stole, but the ex-leader has always denied the allegations.

UK Judge Peter Smith said Zambians should know that when the former president appeared wearing his trademark designer clothes, they were paid for with public funds.

Zambia's attorney-general is in the process of entering the judgement with the country's high court and it is expected to enforce it.