Shakira gives birth to a boy

The pop star gave birth at 9.36 p.m. to a boy weighing almost 3 kg and both the mother and child are "in perfect health", the communique stated.

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Shakira was admitted to the private Teknon clinic at 6.30 p.m. accompanied by her boyfriend, F.C. Barcelona soccer star Gerard Pique.

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In the communique, the couple and the family said: "We are happy to announce the birth of Milan Pique Mebarak, son of Shakira Mebarak and Gerard Pique ... The name Milan (pronounced MEE-lahn), means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification".

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Since early Tuesday morning, numerous reporters and photographers had remained on alert outside the clinic, given recent rumours that this would be the day the child would be born.

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On Tuesday morning, before the birth, Shakira had tweeted, "I'd like to ask you all to accompany me in your prayers on this very important day of my life."

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The baby was delivered by previously-scheduled Caesarean by a medical team headed by Dr. Carlota Garcia-Valdecasa.

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Shakira, 35, last appeared in public Jan 14 at the Casa del Libro in Barcelona, where she attended the presentation of a book written by her father, William Mebarak.u00a0

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