Peres wishes Bill Clinton speedy recovery

President Shimon Peres sent Bill Clinton a telegram Friday, wishing the former US president a "quick and full recovery" from the heart procedure he underwent Thursday.

"Your well-being is precious to us all and may you be back to your regular intensive activities in no time," Peres wrote Clinton.

"Jerusalem is a good place to pray. We shall pray for a man that all of us need and admire."

Doctors who opened a blocked artery in Clinton's chest said he'll be able to resume his active lifestyle, starting with his expected departure from the hospital the day after his procedure.

Clinton could leave New York Presbyterian Hospital on Friday and be back at work as soon as Monday, cardiologist Allan Schwartz said.

Clinton had quadruple bypass surgery at the same hospital more than five years ago, and returned Thursday to have a clogged heart artery opened after suffering discomfort in his chest.

"The procedure went very smoothly," Schwartz said, describing Clinton's prognosis as excellent.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled from Washington to New York to be with her husband.

She left the hospital about 11:30 pm without speaking to reporters.

Aides to Mrs. Clinton said she still planned to go ahead with a previously scheduled trip to the Persian Gulf. The trip was to begin Friday afternoon, but now she is planning to leave Saturday so that she does not have to rush back to Washington.

Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, was also with him at the hospital.

AP contributed to the report