Abbas Gets a Catheter

Thu, May 1, 2008 at 6:24:02 pm PDT

Being the head of a terrorist organization that’s trying to keep up a front of not being a terrorist organization is evidently very stressful: Erekat: Abbas ‘doing very, very well’ after heart procedure.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas underwent an unannounced heart procedure at a Jordanian hospital on Thursday, adding new uncertainty to already troubled peace talks.

Aides to Abbas, 73, said he was doing well after a catheterization procedure they described as successful, and that he was expected to leave Jordan 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. Spokesman Nabil Abu Rdeneh said a doctor recommended Abbas undergo the 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.