Palestinian leader Abbas in hospital

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures as he speaks to the media in the West Bank city of Ramallah January 23, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

RAMALLAH - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was taken to hospital Thursday after complaining of exhaustion, said a source close to his office, but the president's spokesperson said Abbas was hospitalized for regular checkups.

Abbas, who was working at his office, felt "very tired," and a doctor was summoned to check him up.

"After the doctor checked up President Abbas, he recommended that President Abbas has to be taken to the hospital for more checkups," the source said on condition of anonymity. "President Abbas is still at the hospital."

However, Nabil Abu Rdineh, spokesman of the Palestinian Presidency, said in an official statement published by the Palestinian official news agency WAFA that President Abbas went to the hospital for regular medical checkups.

"President Abbas went this morning for medical checkups at the Medical Consulting Hospital in Ramallah," WAFA quoted Abu Rdineh as saying. "The doctors said he was in a totally normal medical situation."

Abbas, 81, succeeded late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the presidential elections held in the Palestinian territories in 2005. The elections were held after Arafat passed away in November 2004.