Egyptian medical officials say the country's deposed president, Hosni Mubarak, is weak and is refusing solid food – increasing speculation that he will not stand trial next week for his alleged role in the killing of anti-government protesters.

Mr. Mubarak's chief doctor, Assem Azzam, says the former president suffers from severe depression. He also says medical officials will consider feeding him intravenously if his condition deteriorates.

The head of the hospital in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheik, where Mr. Mubarak is being treated, tells Egypt's official news agency, MENA, that he has lost weight and is suffering “weakness and severe infirmity.”

The 83-year-old Mr. Mubarak ceded power in February following a popular uprising that has transfixed the Arab world.

He is scheduled to go on trial next week on charges of corruption and ordering the killing of protesters who demonstrated against him during the 18-day revolution that deposed him. Nearly 900 people were killed during the uprising.

If convicted, Mr. Mubarak could be sentenced to death.