Palestinian president in hospital for minor ear procedure

Ramallah: The Palestinian state news agency says the Palestinian president is in a hospital and set to undergo a minor ear operation. The Wafa agency says on Tuesday that President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to be discharged from the Ramallah hospital later in the day. The 83-year-old Abbas has endured a series of recent health scares which have revived anxiety about a battle over who will succeed the Palestinian leader. Abbas, a heavy smoker, has a long history of health issues, ranging from heart troubles to a bout with prostate cancer a decade ago. Last summer, he underwent a health checkup at a Ramallah hospital and separately dispelled rumors he had suffered a stroke. Abbas insists he is fine, but potential successors are quietly jockeying for position.