A spokesman says Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad suffered a heart attack while visiting the United States for his son's college graduation.
Spokesman Jamal Zakout says Fayyad is recovering and is expected to leave the Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, in two days.
Zakout says Fayyad felt strong chest pain on Sunday and went to the hospital to be tested. He says Fayyad suffered a heart attack while in the hospital. Zakout says tests showed a blockage in a coronary artery. Doctors performed a catheterization to open the artery.
Doctors performed a catheterization to open the artery, Zakout said, adding that Fayyad is expected to leave the hospital in two days.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who is currently in Washington, conveyed his wishes for a speedy recovery to the Palestinian leader.
Fayyad, a heavy smoker, has been prime minister since 2007. He was appointed after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas fired then-Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, following the violent Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip. The political independent could lose his job as a result of a recent reconciliation agreement between political rivals Hamas and Fatah.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to the story
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First published: 23:19, 05.23.11