Bolivia's Evo Morales leaves hospital after knee surgery

LA PAZ — Bolivian President Evo Morales has been released from a hospital after knee surgery to correct a soccer injury.

Dr. Gaston Cornejo says the president has responded well and with physical therapy should be able to play again in six months. He spoke yesterday from Morales' hospital bed, in comments that were transmitted by state television.

Morales ruptured ligaments in his left knee during a game of indoor soccer marking the inauguration of a sporting complex financed by his government in a city near La Paz.

State TV showed the 56-year-old leader joking with journalists, his leg bandaged and immobilized.

Morales said he would focus on making a quick recovery and vowed to follow his doctors' orders.