Brazil Leader’s Recovery Swift

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian President-elect Tancredo Neves, making a rapid recovery from abdominal surgery that prevented him from taking office last week, Saturday met with political leaders in his hospital room in Brasilia and installed a direct telephone line to Vice President Jose Sarney.

The 75-year-old Neves underwent emergency surgery Friday for diverticulitis, an intestinal inflammation. According to physicians, 36 hours later he was walking, had no fever and was taking oral nourishment. Doctors quoted by the Associated Press said he should be able to assume his duties in “four, five or six days.”

Neves’ visitors included Sarney and Ulises Guimaraes, president of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies. As soon as Neves is released from the hospital, he will take the oath of office.