The Walking Abbas: Pictures published of 'healthy' Palestinian president to allay health rumours

Pictures and video of 83-year-old Palestinian President Mahmous Abbas walking around his hospital ward and reading a newspaper were published late Monday, in an apparent attempt to calm rumours that his condition was more serious than reported.

"He is doing fine but still needs to take care," the spokeswoman for the Istishari Arab Hospital near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank told AFP.

"Until now there is no news about a timeframe for when he might leave."

Ahmad Tibi, an Israeli-Palestinian member of parliament, said on Twitter he had visited Abbas late Monday.

"He suffers from pneumonia and is treated with antibiotics," said Tibi - who is also a doctor - adding he was expected to spend "several more days" in hospital.

Abbas was admitted to hospital Sunday with a high fever. Last week, he underwent what was called minor ear surgery.

His health is the subject of regular speculation, with no clear successor identified.

In February, he underwent what was then described as routine medical tests in the United States.

Abbas, who is a heavy smoker and overweight, has a long history of health issues, ranging from heart trouble to a bout with prostate cancer a decade ago. Two years ago, he underwent an emergency heart procedure after suffering exhaustion and chest pains.

More recently, a cardiologist moved into the presidential compound in Ramallah to monitor the longtime leader after a mysterious hospital visit in the United States, following Abbas' address to the UN Security Council in which he appeared weak.

Abbas, who insists he is fine, has refused to designate a successor. But after more than a decade of avoiding discussion of the post-Abbas era, Palestinian officials acknowledge that they are concerned, and potential successors are quietly jockeying for position. 

Abbas took over as a caretaker leader following the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004, in what was supposed to be a five-year term. He has remained in control since then, governing the West Bank, while a political split with rival Hamas has prevented new elections. 

Abbas is favoured by the West, but most Palestinians oppose his leadership.

A September poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found 67 percent want him to resign, with the figure rising to 80 per cent in the Gaza Strip.

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