RAMALLAH — PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas spent last week in a Jordanian hospital for an angioplasty operation.

PA officials said Abbas, 70, could take weeks to return to his usual workload.

On June 1, Abbas was rushed to an Amman hospital where he underwent the heart procedure. Officials said he was asked to remain in Jordan for several days for observation.

Arab and Israeli leaders telephoned Abbas and wished him a quick recovery, Middle East Newsline reported. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was scheduled to meet Abbas in Jerusalem on June 21. On June 15, Abbas plans to embark on a tour of Gulf Cooperation Council states.

Officials said Abbas had reduced his schedule in the weeks prior to the angioplasty. They said he had spent only several hours a day in his official duties and was not directly involved in PA efforts to restore order in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

On Sunday, Fatah gunmen stormed PA offices in the West Bank city of Nablus in which one person was shot and injured. Fatah said the raid comprised a warning to Abbas to employ its operatives in the PA security forces and protect them from Israeli attack.

Abbas has agreed to appoint a deputy who would replace the chairman during his absence. He said he would appoint the candidate when he returns to Ramallah. Officials said PA secretary-general Tayeb Abdul Rahim was the leading candidate for the post.

"This is something very important," Abbas said on June 3. "We consider it to be serious and in the near future it will be offered to the legislature and the Palestinian Cabinet to discuss it and they will take the necessary decision."