Palestinian official caught with cell phones

Ramallah: Israeli authorities stopped a top Palestinian official at a border crossing with 3,000 mobile phones and cigarettes in his car.

The phones were found in the car of former interim Palestinian President Rauhi Fattouh and the incident is a media embarrassment for Fateh, which is already struggling with sagging popularity.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Fattouh had been suspended from his duties.

Fattouh said he were unaware of the contraband in his car and blamed his driver.