Jobs' illness 'not life-threatening'

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs, who has been dogged by investor concerns about his health, does not have recurrent cancer or a life-threatening health issue, according to a report in the US.

His haggard appearance at the latest apple iPhone launch forced the company to issue a statement that he had "a common bug".

"While his health problems amounted to a good deal more than 'a common bug', they weren't life-threatening and he doesn't have a recurrence of cancer," wrote New York Times journalist, Joe Nocera, who had an off-the-record conversation with Jobs.

In 2004 Jobs underwent successful surgery to remove a rare type of pancreatic cancer. Apple has said repeatedly Jobs' health is a private matter.

The New York Times said Jobs had told associates and Apple directors he was dealing with "nutritional problems" in the wake of his cancer surgery and that he had had surgery this year to fix a problem contributing to his weight loss.