Abbas undergoes unannounced heart procedure in Jordan

Palestinian president to return Friday from heart procedure in Jordanian hospital. PA sources: He is doing well
Associated Press

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas underwent an unannounced heart test at Jordan Hospital on Thursday. Aides to Abbas said he was doing well after a catheterization procedure they described as successful, and that he was expected to leave the hospital later in the day.

 

Abbas is due to return to the West Bank on Friday, they said, adding that they expect him to return to work immediately after his arrival. In Amman, Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh said a doctor recommended the catheterization procedure during a routine medical examination Thursday.

 

Saeb Erekat, a top aide to Abbas, said he spoke to the Palestinian leader from the West Bank on Thursday afternoon. "He's doing very very well. He's in very high spirits. He even joked to me," Erekat said.

 

He said Abbas planned to resume his schedule immediately and has meetings scheduled with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Sunday and with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sometime next week.

 

Abbas underwent a similar procedure in 2005, and had prostate surgery in the US in 2001. His health problems are not expected to affect Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.