Former US President George Bush Snr released from hospital

The former leader was hospitalised last week

Former US President George H. W. Bush has been released from hospital in Texas (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Former US President George H.W. Bush has been released from hospital, after experiencing breathing difficulties.

Mr Bush, 90, was released from Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas, where he had spent a week being treated for breathing difficulties, his spokesman said.

"He is now resting at home, grateful to the doctors and nurses for their superb care," spokesman Jim McGrath said in a statement on Tuesday.

On the night of 23 December, Mr Bush was rushed by ambulance to the facility after he experienced shortness of breath. He was kept under observation at the hospital for week.

In November 2012, Mr Bush was admitted to the same hospital with bronchitis and related ailments.

His conditioned deteriorated so greatly at one point that he was believed to be near death, but he later recovered and was allowed to go home almost two months later.

He also has a form of Parkinson's disease that means he must use wheelchair or scooter to get around.

Mr Bush served one term as the 41st president from 1989 to 1993.

Earlier this year, his eldest son, former President George W. Bush, published a best-selling book about his father, titled 41 - A Portrait of My Father.

Additional reporting by Reuters and PA