Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas underwent a heart procedure to open clogged arteries Wednesday at a hospital in Jordan, a senior Palestinian official said. Abbas was taken to a hospital in Amman, Jordan Wednesday complaining of fatigue, where he underwent angioplasty, said Tayeb Abdel Rahim, a top Abbas aide.He said the procedure was successful and 69-year-old leader was expected back in the West Bank on Thursday as planned.
Since succeeding the late Yasser Arafat in January, Abbas has appeared in good health and has not canceled or postponed meetings. Palestinian officials said Abbas has high blood pressure and had previously battled cancer and eye ailments. Over the past month he as made two long trips abroad, including stops in Asia, Russia and the Arab world — his first lengthy journeys since assuming office.