The President of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliev, has collapsed twice during a ceremony broadcast live on state television, prompting new speculation about his health. Television showed Mr Aliev, 79, clutching his heart and swaying as he addressed cadets at a military academy in the capital Baku. A statement from the presidential press service later said he had merely lost his balance after suffering a drop in blood pressure and was now recovering well. The leader of the oil-rich Caspian state has been rumoured to be in poor health for years, having suffered a heart attack in 1987. \"Something has struck me,\" he was quoted as saying, moments before he was whisked away by aides. Mr Aliev resumed his speech after about 15 minutes, looking pale but apparently in control of himself. But a few minutes later he collapsed for a second time, apparently falling backwards on to the floor. Journalists were ushered out of the hall. A few minutes later, the broadcast resumed again, showing smiling Mr Aliyev waving to about 2,000-strong audience, before leaving the hall. The latest incident is bound to renew speculation about his political future. Mr Aliev has undergone surgery more than once in the last four years, but has continued to insist he will run for re-election next year. He had a major hear bypass operation at a clinic in the United States in 1999. In 2002 he is believed to have undergone prostate surgery at the same clinic. He had a hernia operation earlier this year. Political survivor. Mr Aliev is due to celebrate his 80th birthday next month. (BBC)