ByKHALED ABU TOAMEH
Palestinian officials on Monday insisted that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is in good health and would fly to Germany for routine medical checkups.

“President Abbas is not suffering from any health problems,” said Jibril Rajoub, secretary-general of the Fatah Central Committee.

Abbas, 85, was scheduled to head to Germany for routine checkups two weeks ago, but the visit was postponed, he said.

A PA official said Abbas’s absence would have no impact on preparations for holding the parliamentary and presidential elections, scheduled for May 22 and in late July, respectively.

“As far as I know, his health condition is relatively good,” the official told The Jerusalem Post. “His visit to Germany will not change plans to hold the elections.”

Earlier, two Jordanian helicopters flew Abbas and his aides from Ramallah to Jordan, from where he was expected to fly to Germany.

Accompanied by Majed Faraj, head of the PA General Intelligence Service, Abbas is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Upon his arrival in Amman, Abbas told reporters the Palestinians stand by Jordan’s King Abdullah in maintaining the security and stability of the kingdom.

Referring to the alleged failed coup against the monarch, Abbas said he was following developments in Jordan with great interest “because this matter concerns us as much as it matters to Jordan.”

“When these events occurred, we saw the entire world standing by Jordan and by His Majesty,” Abbas said. “This is evidence of the great respect and great interest in this peaceful and secure country.”