Norway's king, 87, has pacemaker implanted in Malaysia

Norway's King Harald had a temporary pacemaker implanted at a hospital in Malaysia after falling ill while on holiday there, the Norwegian royal household has said.

"The pacemaker was implanted due to a low heart rate. The decision was made earlier today, and the procedure was successful," a statement from the Royal House of Norway said on Saturday.

Following the operation the king is expected to return to Norway "within the next couple of days," the statement said.

"His Majesty is doing well under the circumstances but still requires rest. The procedure will make the return back home safer," it added.

The 87-year-old monarch was on a private holiday in the South-East Asian country when he fell ill with an infection earlier this week.