HOUSTON (December 2, 2012)--Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, 88, remains in stable condition at a Houston hospital, but a lingering cough related to bronchitis should keep him there through the weekend, spokesman Jim McGrath said.

"He still has the cough and we're now not expecting him to be discharged this weekend,” he said.

He said doctors at Methodist Hospital are "going to play it safe there for obvious reasons."

The 41st president has been in and out of the hospital recently for complications from bronchitis.

Aides had expected his discharge soon, but McGrath said "the cough has taken longer to clear up" than anticipated.

Hospital visitors have included Bush's son, former President George W. Bush, and his wife Laura, who live in Dallas.