ALGIERS, April 19 (Reuters) - An Algerian woman gave birth to seven babies at a public hospital in the capital Algiers, the health ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

The mother gave birth to a boy and six girls at the Kouba public hospital on Wednesday, Slim Belkassem told Reuters over the phone.

"The mother is in good condition. This shows the competence of Algerian doctors, and we are very happy about this event," he added.

According to the latest Guinness World Records, there have been three known cases of seven children surviving birth; two in the United States and one in Saudi Arabia.

The latest case was in December 1998 when six girls and two boys were born, but the lightest, weighing 11.3 ounces (320 grams), died a week later.

AlertNet news is provided by