Mahmoud Abbas released from hospital after ‘exhaustion and stress’

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was given a check-up at a West Bank hospital over alleged “exhaustion and stress” on Saturday though his doctors said the results were good.

The 82-year-old underwent routine checks, including blood tests and X-rays at the private Al Istishari Hospital near the town of Ramallah, and left after 90 minutes, said the hospital director, Dr Fathi Abu Mughli.

“The results are good,” Dr Abu Mughli told the Associated Press, but did not elaborate.

Mr Abbas was flanked by aides and smiling when he left the hospital.

He has suffered heart problems in the past, but his doctors have said he is fine.

Doctors and Palestinian officials speaking anonymously on Sunday told media outlets that Abbas, 82, was hospitalised due to exhaustion and stress.

Abbas, who is a heavy smoker and overweight, was treated years ago for prostate cancer and has had a stent inserted to treat a blocked artery.

A year ago, he underwent an emergency heart procedure after suffering exhaustion and chest pains. He went through a number of tests, including a cardiac catheterisation, a procedure he also had in 2008 and 2005, can detect and treat heart problems, but was given a clean bill of health.  He had prostate surgery in the United States in 2001.

Last month, he dispelled rumours that he had suffered a stroke.

Any health scare for Mr Abbas heightens concerns over the uncertain leadership situation in the Palestinian territories – which are divided between two rival governments and where there is no succession plan for the ageing leader.

Mr Abbas, who has no plans to step down, has ignored calls to appoint a successor, setting the stage for a bitter power struggle if he is incapacitated.

He was elected president in 2005 for what was supposed to be a four-year term.

But in 2007 the rival Hamas militant group forcefully seized control of the Gaza Strip after their victory in parliamentary elections a year earlier. Mr Abbas remained in power, left in charge of autonomous enclaves in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.