Barack Obama receives 12 stitches after being 'elbowed'

President Barack Obama received 12 stitches in his lip on Friday after being hit in the face with an elbow while playing basketball, the White House said, stating that the injury was an accident. 

The injury was caused by Rey Decerega, director of programmes for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the White House said.

"After being inadvertently hit with an opposing player's elbow in the lip while playing basketball with friends and family, the president received 12 stitches today administered by the White House Medical Unit," said spokesman Robert Gibbs in a statement.

The president played basketball for about two hours at a gym at Fort McNair in Washington on Friday morning. It was a five-on-five contest involving family and friends. Among the players were Mr Obama's nephew, Avery Robinson, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Reggie Love, Mr Obama's personal assistant, who played basketball for Duke University.