London , March 08 , SPA -- Former British prime minister Maggie,Thatcher, 82, was taken to hospital for tests and observation inLondon, where she was in "stable" condition early Saturday, dpa quoted aspokesman for St Thomas' Hospital in London as saying. The former British leader, 82, was driven from her home by car tothe hospital in the center of the British capital, ConservativeParty officials told Britain's Press Association. Known as Britain's "Iron Lady" during her time as prime ministerfrom 1979 to 1990, Lady Thatcher suffered a series of strokes in2003, and her doctors forbade her to make any public speeches. Thatcher's public silence has only been interrupted by such rareoccasions as her 80th birthday celebration in 2005, which was seen asher last grand farewell in the public eye.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/534221