On April 20, the London-based Al Quds Al Arabi reported that Abbas was
being treated in a private hospital in Amman. The Arabic daily
said Abbas has been in the hospital six times over the last few weeks.
The Jordanian hospital staff has been sworn to secrecy, and the file on
the PA chairman has been placed in a cabinet locked to all but
authorized personnel, Al Quds Al Arabi said. The newspaper said three
specialists were treating Abbas.
The sources said Abbas was suffering from what appeared to be an
irregular heart beat and high blood pressure. They said the PA chairman has
been warned that he must cut back on his official duties, particularly his
foreign travel.
In March 2010, the PA acknowledged that Abbas was sent to an Amman
hospital after he slipped and fell. The PA said Abbas had been treated and
allowed to continue with his duties.
Abbas has been serving indefinitely after he canceled elections for PA
chairman, which had been scheduled for January 2010. The sources said Abbas
has been under pressure from the Fatah leadership to appoint a deputy who
could succeed him in case of death or incapacitation.
One candidate was reported to have been Fatah Central Committee member
Abbas Zaki. Zaki has dismissed reports that he would serve as deputy to the
PA chairman, said to have been opposed by many in the Central Committee.
"This information and news is unfounded and baseless," Zaki said.
